Top Model Agency Pays Tribute to 'Dearly Loved' Harry Uzoka
London's fashion world shaken as fellow model is charged with his murder
Top model agency Premier Model Management has paid tribute to model Harry Uzoka, who was stabbed to death in Shepherd's Bush on Thursday 11 January.
The agency said in a statement: "Premier Model Management are shocked and saddened by the devastating news of one of our dearly loved model Harry’s passing."
The agency added that its thoughts and priorities were with the Uzoka family and friends.
His older brother Edmund added his tribute on Instagram, saying: "He looked up to me and loved me unconditionally, I just wish I could hold him again and tell him how much I love him, how proud I am that he always put his friends and family first, how I wish I could be half the man he is, how I’d swap places with him in a heartbeat so that the world could still have him."
London's fashion world has been shaken by the death of 25 year-old Harry Uzoka as it transpired one of two men charged with his murder, George Koh was a model with rival agency IMG Models.
Mr Uzoka, who is featured in this month’s GQ magazine had recently modelled for online clothing retailer Everlane in New York and high street clothing store Bershka.
Everlane released a statement saying: "There’s so much more behind the person you’ve seen in our campaigns. Thank you, Harry, for being such a great person. Rest in peace."
George Koh, 24 of York Way, Camden and Jonathan Okigbo, 23 of Trevithick House, Kentish Town, both appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on the morning of Tuesday, 16 January charged with the murder.
George Koh was also charged with possession of an offensive weapon.
Both men were remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey today, Thursday, 18 January.
Harry died from a knife wound to to the chest shortly before 4pm on Old Oak Road, on the border of Acton and Shepherd's Bush. Despite an air ambulance attending, he was pronounced dead at the scene about an hour later.
Koh was arrested on Sunday, 14 January and Okigbo was arrested on Monday, 15 January.
A third man, aged 27 who was arrested on the day of the incident has been released under investigation.
A 28-year-old man - also arrested that day - has been released with no further action to be taken.
Detective Inspector Beverley Kofi said, "This is another tragic murder with a young male victim who has met a violent death.
"We believe that the incident started Ollgar House, in Ollgar Close and the victim was assaulted and stabbed before staggering and collapsing in Old Oak Road. We believe there were a number of people involved, but we are still working to establish the circumstances and a possible motive.
" We need to public’s help to piece together what happened - who the victim was seen with, the incident itself and the immediate aftermath.
"If you were in the area at the time and saw anything that could be of significance to the investigation, we would urge you to get it touch right away."
If you have any information that could assist detectives, call the incident room on 0208 358 0100, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
January 22, 2018