In a somber memorial service, the family of Elianne Andam, a 15-year-old known for her gentle and caring temperament, shared touching anecdotes from her life.

Her father recalled an evening when Elianne, seeing snails vulnerable to impending rain, gently relocated them to safety—a gesture emblematic of her compassion.

This poignant memory of protection starkly contrasts the events of 27 September 2023, when Elianne's own life was violently taken.

On that fateful day, Elianne attended a meeting outside the Whitgift shopping centre in Croydon, south London, to support a friend in retrieving personal belongings after a breakup with Hassan Sentamu, then 17. The encounter, intended to be a simple exchange of items, abruptly escalated when Sentamu refused to return a teddy bear and other possessions.

In a moment of bravery, Elianne intervened, taking the initiative to snatch back the bag.

Despite the public setting, Sentamu pursued Andam and, brandishing a 12cm kitchen knife, inflicted a fatal stab to her neck.

Witnesses, including her close friends, could only watch the horrifying scene unfold.

One friend recounted in court the helplessness and terror as she saw Elianne on the ground, desperately gesturing for Sentamu to stop.

In the chaotic aftermath, Sentamu fled.

Yet, authorities apprehended him less than two hours later, noting potential evidence on his person.

Despite the comfort efforts of a nearby bus driver, Elianne succumbed to her injuries at the scene—a site that quickly became a public memorial, adorned with flowers and trinkets from grieving community members.

The violence was not unforeseen.

In the aftermath of his breakup with Elianne's friend, Sentamu communicated a chilling resolve not to let perceived insults pass, despite his friend's advice to desist.

On the day of the attack, Sentamu's preparedness with layered clothing, gloves, and a discarded mask signified premeditation.

During his trial, a defense claiming loss of control due to autism was dismissed by the court, leading to his conviction for murder.

Sentamu's history, revealed through the trial, underscored a troubled past.

Raised amidst domestic strife in Uganda and facing disciplinary issues upon arriving in the UK, incidents of aggression haunted his youth.

Despite admitting to manslaughter, the court's verdict reflected the gravity of the premeditated act.

Elianne’s death struck at the heart of the Croydon community.

Residents, alongside figures like the rapper Stormzy, gathered for vigils and memorials, highlighting the broad impact of her character and the tragic loss of her potential.

A mural near the bus stop where she died honors her aspiration to become a human rights lawyer—an ambition frozen in time yet indelibly imprinted in the hearts of many.

In the poignant words of DCI Becky Woodsford, who led the investigation, Elianne was remembered not just for standing up for her friend but for living a life defined by integrity and kindness.

Her legacy, though cut short, continues to inspire reflection on the values she embodied.