ReilleUK Faces Murder Charge After Influencer Dies

A former X Factor contestant is to face a murder charge after a social media influencer died six days after being struck by a car outside a London nightclub.

Gabrielle Carrington, 29, of Broadfield Road, Manchester, had previously appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court accused of the attempted murder of Klaudia Zakrzewska following a collision in Soho.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the 32-year-old victim was pronounced dead on Saturday, April 25, prompting detectives to announce that the lead charge will be upgraded when the case next returns to court.

The incident occurred at approximately 4.30am on Sunday, April 19, on Argyll Street, where a Mercedes vehicle reportedly struck several pedestrians near the Inca nightclub.

A 58-year-old male bystander sustained life-changing lower-limb injuries in the collision while he was in the process of unlocking an e-scooter.

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Two further individuals, including a woman in her 30s and a security guard, were also treated for injuries sustained during the incident.

Carrington, who reached the live finals of the 2013 X Factor series as a member of the group Miss Dynamix, currently faces counts of dangerous driving and driving while nearly twice the legal alcohol limit.

During her initial appearance in the dock, the defendant, an influencer with over 365,000 followers, spoke only to confirm her personal details and was not required to enter any formal pleas.

The court heard that the defendant made a heart gesture toward the public gallery as she was remanded in custody to appear at the Central Criminal Court on May 19.

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Detective Chief Inspector Alison Foxwell, leading the investigation for Specialist Crime South, stated that the probe has now transitioned into a homicide inquiry following the update on the victim’s condition.

Legal representatives noted that a crowdfunding campaign established to support the victim’s family had raised nearly £18,000 prior to the announcement of her death.

Police have issued a formal warning against the continued circulation of graphic footage of the collision on social media platforms, citing the risk of prejudicing future criminal proceedings.

The prosecution is expected to serve an updated indictment reflecting the fatality at the forthcoming plea and trial preparation hearing at the Old Bailey.

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Officers continue to appeal for witnesses who were in the vicinity of the London Palladium or Argyll Street at the time of the physical altercation that preceded the vehicle mounting the pavement.

Carrington remains in secure custody as forensic teams and digital investigators continue to process evidence recovered from the scene and the defendant’s mobile devices.