Alvin Gitahi, 43, has been convicted of murdering his ex-partner Vivienne Baraka, 35, at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday. He faces life in prison.
Abusive history revealed
The court heard that Gitahi had a history of punching Baraka and grabbing her neck when drunk and in a rage. On March 26, 2024, Baraka had ended the relationship but allowed him into her home.
At around 3.15pm, 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, Baraka was dead on the bathroom floor.
Evidence and messages
Her body showed bruising to her face and neck and burst blood vessels in her eyes. A post-mortem examination determined she died from compression to the neck.
Gitahi denied involvement, but he was the only other person in the flat. Electronic devices revealed messages indicating a pattern of abuse, and phone records showed Baraka had called her mother shortly before her death.
Prosecution details
Prosecutor Charlotte Newell KC told the court that Baraka had spoken to police in 2022 and 2023, describing violence including punching and strangling. Gitahi had said "I will finish you" while straddling her.
Baraka feared calling police or leaving because she believed he would kill her. In January 2022, police found her cowering in her bathroom, and Gitahi had removed the door handle to prevent her leaving.
Charges and sentencing
Gitahi was charged with murder on October 8, 2025. He has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court during the week commencing Monday October 19.
In a statement, 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."
Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Denby, who led the investigation, said: "Our thoughts are with Vivienne's loved ones, who have lost a mother, daughter and a friend."
