Aspiring barrister and ex-Herbert Smith Freehills paralegal killed in family home

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By Thomas Connelly on

The 31-year-old woman was found dead at a property in northwest London at the end of last week

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A man has appeared at Hendon Magistrates Court in London and charged with the murder of a paralegal and aspiring barrister, who was found dead in her family home on Friday evening.

Elizabeth Nnyanzi, 31 and from Harrow, had originally studied medicine at Imperial College, London, before opting to pursue a career in law. According to media reports, she was understood to have been inspired by her Ugandan solicitor father.

According to her LinkedIn profile, the north-Londoner had undertaken an internship earlier this year at City-based personal injury specialist law firm Leigh Day.

The wannabe barrister — who was described by those close to her as talented and bright — went on to land a temporary position as a contract attorney at global legal giant Herbert Smith Freehills.

A spokesman for the Anglo-Australian firm told the Daily Express newspaper: “We are shocked and very sorry to hear of this tragedy.”

According to the Express, Nnyanzi, who left her role at Herbies in June, had been undertaking mini-pupillages in the weeks leading up to her death.

The post-mortem revealed that Nnyanzi — who had volunteered for various charities, including Freedom from Torture and Amnesty International — died of asphyxiation.

The Evening Standard reported yesterday that Peter Kibisu — a 23-year-old BMW mechanic from Harrow — had been charged with Nnyanzi’s murder.