Social media influencer Klaudia Zakrzewska has died after being struck by a car outside a nightclub in Soho, with police now upgrading the case against Gabrielle Precious Carrington to murder.
Zakrzewska, 32, from Essex, was hit near the Inca venue on Argyll Street in central London in the early hours of Sunday, 19 April. She was taken to hospital in a critical condition but died on Saturday.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed the charge against Carrington, 29, has now been amended from attempted murder to murder following Zakrzewska’s death.
This follows the earlier court appearance of Carrington, who was remanded in custody after prosecutors said she drove into pedestrians outside the nightclub. Carrington, of Broadfield Road, Manchester, is also known online as RIELLEUK and previously appeared in the live finals of The X Factor in 2013 as part of girl group Miss Dynamix.
Police were called to the scene at around 4.30am after reports that a black Mercedes had hit pedestrians outside the venue.
A 58-year-old man suffered life-changing injuries in the same incident and was taken to hospital. Another woman in her 30s was treated for minor injuries.
Detective Chief Inspector Alison Foxwell, who is leading the investigation, said police were expressing their “deepest sympathies” to Zakrzewska’s family and friends.
She also urged people not to speculate online and asked the public not to share graphic footage, saying it could cause further distress to loved ones and risk prejudicing future court proceedings.
The Metropolitan Police has previously said the incident is not being treated as terrorism-related.
Carrington also faces allegations of dangerous driving, drink driving and causing injuries to two other people. She is due to appear at the Old Bailey on 19 May.
Zakrzewska, a Polish-born model and influencer known online as KlaudiaGlam, had built a large following on social media and had posted videos from the nightclub shortly before the incident.
During the week, while she remained in hospital, her mother appealed for support through a fundraiser to help cover legal and medical costs. The appeal has since raised nearly £18,000.
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