A British Louis Vuitton model appeared in court on Tuesday, Jan. 17, for the murder of a 25-year-old fellow catwalker.
George Koh, 24, who has worked with brands including Louis Vuitton and Paul Smith, was arrested on Sunday and charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon.
Another man, 23-year-old Jonathan Okigbo is also in custody and charged with murder, the Metropolitan Police confirmed in a statement.
Harry Uzoka, who was signed to top modeling agency Premier Model Management, was discovered slumped on a London street in Shepherd’s Bush on Thursday afternoon, Jan. 11. He died from a single stab wound to the heart.
UPDATE: Two men appear at court charged with Shepherds Bush murder https://t.co/fVL3ZsvLX0 pic.twitter.com/W09Ac2suaT
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) January 16, 2018
Police believe Uzoka was assaulted and stabbed outside a block of flats in Ollgar Close before he staggered to nearby Old Oak Road.
Koh, from Camden, and Okigbo, from Kentish Town, both appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and spoke only to confirm their names, date of birth, and addresses, Sky News reported.
The pair were remanded to custody and will appear at the Old Bailey on Thursday, Jan. 18.
“Koh hasn’t been on our books since March 2017,” a representative for IMG models told the Daily Mail. The newspaper reported that the models were “rivals.”
Koh has more than 12,000 followers on Instagram, and his most recent image was liked almost 1,500 times.
News of Uzoka’s death sent ripples through the industry, with model Jourdan Dunn tweeting “Rest in Paradise Young King.”
Singer MNEK wrote “SHOCKED. i met him various times and thought he was always so cool. my heart goes out to his family. RIP.”
London fashion brand Yemzi paid tribute and wrote, “Such a special soul R.I.P”
Uzoka had worked for brands such as Mercedes, G-Star RAW, and Zara and appeared on billboards in the UK and the United States.
Rest in Paradise Young King 👑🌹 pic.twitter.com/VUdMPpb5Vo
— Jourdan Dunn (@missjourdandunn) January 12, 2018
Location of Old Oak road in Shepherd’s Bush, west London, where Harry Uzoka was fatally stabbed. (Screenshot via Google Maps)
Detective Inspector Beverley Kofi described the stabbing as “another tragic murder.”
Police added that on the same day of the fatal stabbing, two men, aged 27 and 28 were arrested on suspicion of murder. The 28-year-old had been released, and the 27-year-old had been released under investigation.
Harry Uzoka, Chuck Achike and Jeremy Boateng attend the launch of the Lyle & Scott flagship store at Carnaby Street on Oct. 3, 2013 in London, England. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Lyle & Scott)Recommended Video:
