A man who beat and strangled his ex-partner after telling her “I will finish you” has been convicted of her murder. Alvin Gitahi, 44, was found guilty by a jury at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday.
History of abuse
The court heard Gitahi had a history of punching 35-year-old Vivienne Baraka and grabbing her around the neck when drunk. On the day she died, March 26 2024, Ms Baraka had ended the relationship but allowed him into her home in Ealing, west London.
Ms Baraka’s mother received a text from her daughter pleading for her to call 999 because she was “in danger”. By the time police arrived, Ms Baraka was dead on the bathroom floor.
Pattern of violence
Gitahi, the only other person in the flat, had a pattern of attacking his partner when drunk, with reports made to friends, family, and police. Despite the bruising on her face and neck and burst blood vessels in her eyes, Gitahi denied involvement.
Prosecutor Charlotte Newell KC said Ms Baraka had told police in 2022 and 2023 about Gitahi’s violence, including punching, strangling, and saying “I will finish you”. Her mother Nancy received a text on the afternoon of her death, asking her to call 999, which was “particularly chilling” as it suggested she felt unable to call herself.
Family's statement
In a statement, Ms Baraka’s family said: “We are grateful that justice has prevailed. Vivienne was very community-orientated and helped a lot of people during her life. She was taken from us far too soon. She was a very much loved member of our family, and she is missed every day. Vivienne’s spirit lives on in her daughter. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us through this difficult time.”
Ms Baraka had previously told her mother she feared calling police or leaving Gitahi because he “would kill her”. In January 2022, police found her “cowering” in her bathroom, and she recounted being punched, bitten, and strangled. In August 2022, she told her mother she had been punched in the eye, and in April 2023, her mother overheard her “begging him not to strangle her”.
Conviction
Gitahi accused Ms Baraka of heavy drinking and drug use without evidence. Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Denby, who led the investigation, said: “This is a devastating case where a young woman has been subject to ongoing violence in her own home, culminating in her tragic death. While no outcome can undo this loss, we hope today’s conviction brings her family and friends some measure of closure and reassurance that Gitahi has been held accountable for his actions.”
Gitahi has been remanded in custody until sentencing in October.
