Memorial Mural Unveiled for Elianne Andam, Honouring Her Legacy.

‍A memorial mural and bench were unveiled near the site where 15-year-old Elianne Andam was tragically killed a year ago in Croydon. The tribute, located on Wellesley Road outside the Whitgift Centre, was blessed by the Bishop of Croydon, Rt Rev Dr Rosemarie Mallett, who called Elianne "a beautiful soul taken too soon." Despite the rain, dozens gathered to pay their respects.

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Elianne’s cousin, Rev Denzil Larbi, delivered a heartfelt plea for an end to knife violence, while Elianne’s mother thanked the crowd, emphasising her daughter’s joyful life and boundless potential. She urged those who see the mural to remember her daughter’s happiness rather than the tragedy of her death.

The mural features Elianne’s smiling face, offering a poignant reminder of the life lost to violence. Hassan Sentamu, an 18-year-old from Thornton Heath, has been charged with her murder and is set to face trial in November.

Elianne was one of 11 people killed in Croydon in 2023, with four victims aged 20 or younger.

Rising Femicide Rates Among Black Women in London‍

The unveiling comes as new Metropolitan Police data reveals a sharp rise in femicide rates, with Black women in London disproportionately affected. In 2023, 62% of femicide victims were Black women. Southall Black Sisters, an organisation combating violence against women and girls, described these findings as both shocking and unsurprising, emphasising the intersection of racism and sexism that leaves Black women particularly vulnerable.

Selma Taha, a representative from the group, called for more action from politicians and law enforcement, stating, “Black femicide reflects deep-rooted prejudices in both the violence itself and the systemic response to it.”

The rise in femicides, including high-profile cases such as Johanita Kossiwa Dogbey, Bibaa Henry, and Nicole Smallman, has underscored the urgent need to address violence against women, particularly Black women in London.