An 18-year-old man has been charged with the murder of a woman who was found stabbed to death at an Airbnb in central London more than two years ago, following his extradition from the United Arab Emirates.
Extradition and Charges
Enzo Bettamio was extradited from the UAE to the United Kingdom on Friday, after joint efforts by the Metropolitan Police and the Crown Prosecution Service. He is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday to face the charge of murder.
The charge relates to the death of Kamonnan Thiamphanit, 27, known to friends as Angela. Her body was discovered with multiple stab wounds at an Airbnb property in Stanhope Place, Bayswater, on 8 April 2024.
Police Investigation
The Metropolitan Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over its handling of the case. Officers were contacted by Ms Thiamphanit's friends the day before her body was found, but the case was initially graded as a medium-risk missing person inquiry.
Detectives have worked extensively to secure Bettamio's extradition, which marks a significant step in the investigation. The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that it had authorised the charge following a thorough review of the evidence.
Background
Ms Thiamphanit, a 27-year-old woman, was found dead at the short-term rental property in the affluent area of Bayswater. The discovery prompted a murder investigation, with police appealing for information and tracing Bettamio's movements.
The extradition process involved close collaboration between UK authorities and their counterparts in the UAE. Bettamio was arrested in the UAE and held pending extradition proceedings, which concluded with his transfer to the UK on Friday.
Next Steps
Bettamio will appear before magistrates in London on Saturday, where the court will consider the murder charge. He remains in custody pending the hearing.
The Met Police has stated that it is cooperating fully with the IOPC investigation into the initial grading of the missing person report. A spokesperson said the force was committed to learning lessons from the case.
