Horror as woman, 27, dies after man throws her out of his car and punches her | UK | News

A man has been found guilty of murder after throwing a woman out of a car and brutally attacking her following a Metropolitan Police investigation. A jury at the Old Bailey on Thursday found Duane Owusu, 36, of Althorne Way, Dagenham, guilty of murdering Zahwa Mukhtar, 27, on Saturday, August 16, 2025, in Chadwell Heath.

Detective Chief Inspector Phil Clarke, of Specialist Crime North, said: “Our thoughts today are with Zahwa’s family, who showed great dignity and patience after losing their daughter in such horrific circumstances. CCTV footage collected by the investigating team painted a damning picture of Owusu’s criminality. The evidence revealed him to be a ruthless killer who acted with a callous disregard for his victim.”

Zahwa met Owusu while out with a group in Hackney in the early hours of 16 August. He joined the group and got into a car with them.

An argument broke out at around 4.30am and Owusu threw Zahwa from the moving vehicle on Chadwell Heath Lane. He then went out and punched her before driving off, leaving her unconscious on the side of the road.

Shortly after, the police stopped the vehicle for a routine check. Officers found a small amount of drugs and recorded Owusu’s aggressive behavior on a body-worn video.

The vehicle was allowed to continue on its way as the driver was later called for a meeting.

Passersby then alerted police that there was a woman injured nearby. Police arrived and began CPR on Zahwa, who was pronounced dead a short time later.

Linking the earlier car stop to Zahwa’s death, detectives tracked the passengers’ movements. CCTV captured Owusu throwing Zahwa out of the car and attacking him. In later footage, he was seen scolding a passenger who wanted to help, calling him a “weak link”.

Owusu was arrested on Sunday, August 17, and gave an interview in custody without comment.

He will be sentenced on Thursday, March 122.