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Influencer and former X Factor contestant Gabrielle Carrington has denied murdering a social media influencer by running her over with a car outside a London nightclub.
The 29-year-old was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, grievous bodily harm (GBH), dangerous driving, and drink driving following the incident.
She allegedly struck social media creator Klaudia Zakrzewska, known online as Klaudiaglam, outside the Inca nightclub on Argyll Street, Soho, at 4:30AM on April 19.
Videos of the incident circulated online, showing a woman getting into a black car before it accelerated forward and hit Zakrzewska, who went under the vehicle.
Carrington was initially charged with attempted murder, but this was changed to murder after Zakrzewska died as a result of her injuries on April 25.
The Mancunian appeared at the Old Bailey, the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales, via video link from Bronzefield prison on Monday (August 3).
The defendant appeared wearing a low-cut black outfit and her long black hair pulled back.
She was not represented in court by a barrister, instead representing herself during the plea hearing.
Judge Sarah Whitehouse KC asked if she was happy to go ahead without a lawyer, to which she said she didn't want to represent herself “for the foreseeable,” as reported by The Standard.
“As I’m not represented, I am happy to give a plea today even though I am not represented,” Carrington stated.
The 2013 X Factor finalist pleaded not guilty to murder and a second charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to security guard Anoush Chyche, who was left with life-changing injuries and was taken to the hospital.
Carrington was not asked to enter a plea to a third charge of driving with excess alcohol.
Speaking about who would represent her at the trial, she explained: “This is my life. This is the toughest decision I have to make.”
The judge confirmed that she would try the case at Old Bailey from January 5, while setting a pre-trial hearing for August 11 and October 9.
While in court, Carrington interacted with both the judge and prosecutor Crispin Aylett KC in court while writing notes on a pad of paper.
Judge Whitehouse remanded the defendant into custody, but ordered that she be brought to the Old Bailey for the next hearing.
It is alleged that Carrington arrived to the venue in her car and had an argument with a male as she got out.
This soon escalated, with more people becoming involved, as security attempted to ease tensions.
When the influencer got back into her car to drive off, she sharply mounted the pavement, allegedly striking Zakrzewska.
The vehicle also allegedly struck Chyche, who was also on the pavement, and when the car reversed, Zakrzewska could be seen under the vehicle, lying still on the ground.
First responders got to the scene at 5AM, noticing people shouting outside Inca nightclub, as Zakrzewska died in hospital within a week and Chyche was left with severe injuries.
Court charges state that Carrington had 61 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath when she tested after the incident.
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A woman who was run over by a rival in front of a London nightclub has been identified and is in critical condition.
The Metropolitan Police revealed that a 30-year-old woman was taken to hospital after emergency services were called to Argyll Street in the British capital at around 04:30 BST on Sunday morning (April 19).
A man in his 50s also sustained life-changing injuries and was taken to the hospital, while a third woman, aged in her 30s, was treated for minor injuries.
A woman has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, grievous bodily harm (GBH), dangerous driving and drink driving after a car hit pedestrians.
Police explained that the incident, which happened in Soho, wasn't being treated as terrorism-related.
Videos of the incident have since been posted on social media by witnesses, showing the messy build-up to the gruesome incident.
Videos from the scene showed that several women were involved in a fight in the street at the location of the incident.
Then, a woman got into a black car, which accelerated into a group of people and hit another woman, who was standing on the pavement.
She was seen on the ground, trapped under the vehicle, as others rushed over to help.
A man who was standing nearby with a bike looked to have been hit by the car, as Det Ch Insp Alison Foxwell has called for witnesses to come forward to authorities.
The woman was revealed to be social media influencer Klaudiaglam, real name Klaudia Zakrzewska.
She was hit along with two other pedestrians on Argyll Street, Soho, London, in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Polish-born Klaudia, who was in critical condition following the incident, has over 261,000 followers on Instagram and was at the Inca nightclub with friends before the incident, according to The Mirror.
She was seen posting videos online of herself dressed up on a night out before the horror incident.
The influencer is best known for posting snaps and videos of herself enjoying concerts, events, and holidays abroad, which garner thousands of likes from followers.
But on Sunday morning, she was rushed to the hospital as police responded 'following reports that a car had been involved in a collision with pedestrians'.
DCI Alison Foxwell, from Specialist Crime South, urged witnesses to come forward with any information they may have from the night.
She said: "As our enquiries continue, our thoughts are with those injured and their loved ones.
"While this incident took place in the early hours of the morning, venues in the area were still open, and we believe a number of people will have seen what happened.
"I would urge anyone who witnessed the collision, or any activity prior to it that they feel may be of relevance, to come forward.
"The information you have - however minor you believe it may be - could be of crucial importance to investigators."
A British TikTok influencer is facing a possible death sentence after being charged with the murder of her boyfriend in Dubai.
Brooke George, 23, from Gravesend, Kent, was arrested in the early hours of June 22 and has since been charged with premeditated murder, according to advocacy organisation Detained in Dubai.
The social media influencer is accused of fatally stabbing a man she was reportedly in a relationship with after the pair met online.
George has not been convicted of any offence and the case remains under investigation.
According to Detained in Dubai, George claims she acted in self-defence after allegedly being subjected to a violent attack by her boyfriend.
The organisation said the relationship initially appeared positive, with George describing her first trip to Dubai as "the time of my life".
However, during a second visit to the UAE, the advocacy group claims the relationship became increasingly abusive.
Radha Stirling, chief executive of Detained in Dubai, said George alleges her boyfriend became "increasingly controlling and abusive" and that she was attempting to leave the country when the incident occurred.
According to Stirling, George claims her passport had been withheld and that she feared for her safety and allegedly claimed that she grabbed a kitchen knife during an altercation after fearing for her life.
The claims have not been independently verified and authorities in Dubai have not publicly commented on the allegations.
George's mother, Thereza George, said she noticed a change in her daughter's behaviour shortly before the incident.
"After Brooke returned to Dubai for the second time, the dynamic between them had clearly changed," she said.
"The day before the incident, she did not seem like herself. She was quieter and not her usual happy, cheerful self."
Thereza also claimed her daughter appeared frightened when she spoke to her following the incident.
"When I spoke to Brooke right after the incident, she was absolutely terrified," she said.
"I have never seen my daughter so frightened in my life."
Detained in Dubai has also alleged that George has not been granted access to legal representation during parts of the investigation and claimed she was forced to make statements without a lawyer present.
The organisation further alleges that George was subjected to degrading treatment while in custody.
Stirling described the case as raising concerns surrounding domestic violence, self-defence claims and the treatment of foreign nationals detained overseas.
The group has called for George to be released on bail while the investigation continues.
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed it is providing assistance.
"We are in touch with a British woman detained in the UAE, we are supporting her family, and we are in contact with the local authorities," the statement said.
Under UAE law, George could face the death penalty if convicted.
The investigation is ongoing.
Elise Caffee, a well-known Utah-based parenting and travel influencer, has tragically passed away after suffering catastrophic burns in a horrific car accident in Mexico.
The devastating news was shared by her family on March 12 through an Instagram account dedicated to updates on her condition.
“We are absolutely heartbroken to share the news of Elise’s passing tonight,” the post read. “She held on so long and fought so hard against an impossibly difficult set of circumstances.”
Elise and her husband, Dan Caffee, had traveled to Cancun, Mexico, on March 6 to attend a wedding when disaster struck, per PEOPLE.
On their way to the hotel, they were caught in a massive 10-car pileup on a freeway. According to a family statement, a truck carrying steaming hot asphalt collided with their vehicle, flipping it over and trapping Elise underneath the wreckage.
"A truck full of hot asphalt hit them, flipping their car, trapping Elise underneath, and dumping steaming hot asphalt on top of her as well as the people in front of the other cars," a family update on social media recounted.
The tragedy unfolded just outside a hospital, which responders described as a miracle. Medical workers rushed to the scene, desperately trying to help those trapped beneath the wreckage. However, the searing heat of the asphalt made rescue efforts even more difficult.
“Hospital workers rushed out and immediately started trying to help get people out from under cars … but were getting burned through their protective gloves because the asphalt was so hot,” a family post revealed.
Elise’s husband, Dan, later shared a heartbreaking update, writing: "Our driver was killed, and Elise was severely burned. I was uninjured."
After being pulled from the wreckage, Elise was rushed to a local hospital, where she was stabilized before being transported to a specialized burn unit in Utah. She remained in critical condition, undergoing multiple surgeries as doctors fought to save her life.
“She’s fighting for her life right now,” a family post read just days before her passing. “She continues to need your prayers.”
In one of their updates, Elise’s family described moments of hope, sharing that she was responsive at times despite her grave condition. “We’ve received hundreds of letters for her, and we can’t wait to start reading them to her,” they wrote.
Her daughters were also able to spend time with their mother in the hospital, bringing her small comforts. “The Caffee girls went in while Elise got her hair washed. Then the girls were able to take turns brushing it and braiding it,” a post shared. “Dan ended the night serenading Elise with his guitar.”
However, despite the medical team’s best efforts, Elise’s condition deteriorated.
The family later confirmed her passing, stating: “Absolutely everything that could have been done for her was done, and we are so grateful she was able to make it back home to say goodbye to her family before leaving us.”
They added: “We believe in eternal families and know we’ll see our beautiful mom, sister, wife, and daughter again.”
Caffee, a mother of three, was known for her adventurous spirit and passion for family travel. Through her Instagram account, 3KidsTravel, she documented her journeys across the world with her husband and children, inspiring thousands of followers with her belief that traveling with kids was not only possible but rewarding.
Her Instagram bio read: “Expert travel mom who believes you can take your kids everywhere!”
She often shared humorous insights into traveling as a family, including her motto: “Bribes work!”
Elise and Dan had committed to a life of travel early in their marriage, despite being told it would be difficult with children.
“When I had my first baby, people told me I’d have to stop traveling so much,” Elise wrote on her website. “But my husband and I decided we wouldn’t stop. When our oldest was four weeks old, we hopped on a plane to a beach. His next trip was an overnight camping trip in Yosemite, and then we took him to Mexico. Over time, we added two more girls to our family, and we kept traveling and adjusting to life as a family of five. Traveling became our way to connect and bond as a family.”
From Paris to Scotland to Maui, Elise shared her love for travel with her children, and her platform became a place of encouragement for parents looking to do the same.
Elise’s passing has left an outpouring of grief and support from her online community, friends, and family.
“We’re so grateful for all the prayers and love that have buoyed us up in the last few days and that we know will continue in the days ahead,” her family shared.
In the coming days, the Caffee family plans to share details about a service celebrating Elise’s life.
“Elise touched so many lives,” one follower commented. “Her adventurous spirit and love for her family inspired so many of us.”
In her honor, the family has also been promoting a GoFundMe to help support the family of the driver of the car, Luis. As of this writing, more than $71,000 has been raised.
Following the announcement of her passing, Elise's social media posts have been flooded with tributes from her fans and loved ones.
"I keep trying to find the words and I can’t, but know our thoughts and prayers are with you," one person wrote.
Another commented: "Rest in peace gone much too soon! Will keep your children, husband and family in our prayers."
"Just saw the news. Fly high on your next adventure!! Condolences to the beautiful family," commented a third.
Our thoughts go out to every family impacted by this tragedy.
The mom of the British influencer who will possibly face a firing squad in Dubai has made a haunting admission about what happened in her daughter's boyfriend's flat.
As widely reported, Brooke George, 23, from Gravesend, Kent, was arrested after the death of her boyfriend, William Treeby.
The social media influencer is accused of fatally stabbing the 26-year-old British national.
It was reported that after the incident, George organized a flight home, but she was apprehended at Dubai International Airport as she tried to leave the country in the early hours of June 22.
She is now being held in the notoriously tough Bur Dubai prison, and could face the firing squad if convicted.
According to advocacy group Detained in Dubai, a pressure group that helps foreigners abroad, George travelled to the United Arab Emirates after meeting Treeby on Facebook and developing a relationship with him.
After a positive first visit, George travelled to the country again and claimed that's when the man became "increasingly controlling and abusive," and she found out that "he had only booked her a one way ticket, leaving her alarmed and wanting to return home".
"According to Brooke, after an evening at Caffreys Bar in Jumeirah Village, he became intoxicated and assaulted her in the car before continuing the attack after they returned to the apartment," the group said.
The influencer's family said George contacted them in a "state of panic after being repeatedly punched" and had "arranged a flight home" before returning to the apartment to recover her passport.
"The family say she was crying and begging for her passport's return when she was punched hard in the face and attacked. Brooke says she feared for her life and, reaching for a kitchen knife within her grasp, acted in self defence," the group said.
Detained in Dubai said George received "little explanation of the proceedings due to the language barrier," and alleged that she was "deprived of access to her embassy and forced to make statements in the absence of a lawyer".
The 23-year-old mother, Thereza George, said her daughter was "terrified" when she called home from the UAE in the hours before Treeby's death.
"The day before the incident, she wasn't herself. She was quieter than usual but wouldn't tell me why," she said. "That evening they went to a bar in Dubai. When I spoke to Brooke right after the incident, she was absolutely terrified."
"I have never seen my daughter so frightened. She was crying uncontrollably and I could see one of her eyes was badly swollen and beginning to close," she added.
The mom also revealed new details about the apartment where Brooke had been staying, saying her daughter was often left there alone while Treeby went out.
"The second time she flew out, those three days, she was on her own almost the whole entire time during the days, just being left at the apartment," she told The Sun. "There were other people there that lived with him. And they were coming in and out and going in and out together. But as far as she knew, that was to do with whatever business he was running out there."
According to Thereza, Treeby would regularly leave the apartment, telling George: "I've got to sort out work. I've got to go and meet someone," while spending time on his computer.
She said neither she nor her daughter ever knew exactly what his work in Dubai involved.
The mom also claimed another man drove the couple around during the influencer's second visit, unlike the first trip when the pair travelled by themselves.
Asked whether that individual had been interviewed by investigators, she replied: "I can say no is the answer. No. No availability, let's say that."
She added that Brooke had noticed a significant change in the atmosphere inside the apartment during her second stay.
"There were people talking. Conversations that they kept walking out for," she said. "The feel of the apartment and the other guys in there, the dynamic felt different."
The investigation is ongoing.
A young British woman is facing the death penalty in Dubai after being charged with murdering a man she claims she stabbed in self-defence.
Brooke George, 23, from Kent, travelled to Dubai after meeting the British man on Facebook.
The ex-department store assistant is now being held in the notoriously tough Bur Dubai prison after she was accused of killing the man with a kitchen knife following an altercation at an apartment after the pair returned from a night out at Caffreys Bar in Jumeirah Village.
Reportedly, George claimed that after she was attacked, she reached "for a kitchen knife within her grasp" and "acted in self-defence".
The influencer, with almost 100,000 followers on TikTok, is believed to have organized a flight home but was arrested at Dubai International Airport as she attempted to leave the country in the early hours of Monday, June 22.
George’s family is being represented by a pressure organisation, Detained in Dubai, which is urging authorities to treat the incident as a domestic abuse case and to release George on bail pending an investigation, after she claimed she was denied legal representation and subjected to humiliating treatment in custody.
According to her family, George claims that she was denied a lawyer and "forced to strip naked in front of male officers, without any female officers present". She described the experience as "deeply humiliating and distressing, breaking down in tears when recounting it to her family".
In a statement released by Detained in Dubai, George's mother, Thereza, said: “As Brooke's mother, I am deeply concerned for her welfare. The daughter I spoke to that night was utterly terrified. I firmly believe she was desperately trying to get home and away from whatever had happened to her.”
CEO of Detained in Dubai, Radha Stirling, said, "We will be working to ensure that [George's] rights are protected, that she receives a fair trial, and that the circumstances leading to this tragedy are fully and impartially examined.”
She also drew attention to human rights violations that the people her organization represent are allegedly subjected to, saying, "Over recent years, there have been increasing reports of women, including social media influencers, models and young travellers, being lured to Dubai with promises of luxury lifestyles, paid work, holidays or romantic relationships, only to later allege that they were subjected to forced attendance at porta-potty parties, sexual exploitation, coercion, violence or other degrading treatment.
"International organisations and law enforcement agencies have documented cases in which women were recruited under false pretences for the purpose of exploitation, including trafficking."
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