Harry Uzoka: Two men in court charged with fatal stabbing of male model in London street
George Koh, 24, and Jonathan Okigbo, 23, appear at Westminster Magistrates Court charged with murder of 25 year-old
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Two men accused of stabbing a gifted young model to death in London have appeared in court charged with murder.
George Koh, 24, and Jonathan Okigbo, 23, are alleged to have attacked 25 year-old Harry Uzoka outside a block of flats in Shepherd's Bush.
Mr Uzoka was signed to Premier Model Management, the same modelling agency that helped launch the careers of models Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford and was described on social media as an “icon for black boys in the UK”
He was the fourth person to be stabbed to death in the capital this year.
Koh, of York Way, Camden, and Okigbo, of Trevithick House, Kentish Town, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.
The pair, who wore grey jumpers and jogging bottoms, spoke only to confirm their names, dates of birth and addresses.
Koh has also been charged with the possession of an offensive weapon.
They were remanded in custody and will appear at the Old Bailey on Thursday.
Scotland Yard detectives believe Mr Uzoka was attacked outside Ollgar House in Ollgar Close shortly before 4pm on Thursday 11 January.
He collapsed in nearby Old Oak Road and was pronounced dead at the scene at 5pm despite the efforts of Air Ambulance doctors.
A 27 year-old man has been released under investigation while the police enquiry continues and a 28 year-old man has been released with no further action.
In an earlier appeal for information Detective Inspector Beverley Kofi said: 'This is another tragic murder with a young male victim who has met a violent death.
'We need to public's help to piece together what happened - who the victim was seen with, the incident itself and the immediate aftermath.'
Mr Uzoka, who had modelled for Mercedes and Zara and recently appeared in GQ, has been hailed online as a “charming” and “inspirational” individual who “lit up a room”.
Model Jourdan Dunn posted a photo of Mr Uzoka on Twitter, with the caption: “Rest in Paradise Young King.”
A spokesman for Premier Model Management said their thoughts are with the Uzoka family.
Online clothing retailer Everlane tweeted: “We're deeply saddened to hear about Harry Uzoka's passing. He was a wonderful model but even more so a good person and a pleasure to work with. 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.”