Duane Owusu is in prison serving a life sentence after being convicted of the murder of Zahwa Mukhtar, a 27-year-old deaf woman he threw from a moving car and fatally punched in the head in Chadwell Heath, east London, in August 2025. On 14 April 2026, a judge at the Old Bailey sentenced Owusu to a minimum of 16 years and six months before he can be considered for parole.

Who Is Duane Owusu?

Duane Owusu, 36, is from the Dagenham area of east London. He had no significant prior relationship with Zahwa Mukhtar before the night of the attack. Owusu had been known to associates by the nickname “Nasty” — a name that prosecutors said reflected the callous disregard he showed his victim on the night she died.

Prior to the murder, Owusu was not a well-known public figure. The case drew national attention primarily because of the particularly chilling circumstances of the attack — including the fact that Zahwa was profoundly deaf, and that Owusu and his friends abandoned her as she lay dying in the road, with Owusu reportedly saying “no-one cares about her.”

What Happened to Zahwa Mukhtar?

In the early hours of Saturday, 16 August 2025, Zahwa Mukhtar met Duane Owusu’s group of friends in Stoke Newington, north London. The group had been socialising together and Zahwa joined them in an already overcrowded car heading back towards Dagenham. During the journey, a dispute broke out between Zahwa and another woman in the vehicle.

At approximately 4:30am, Owusu stopped the car on Chadwell Heath Lane and threw Zahwa out onto the road. He then got out of the vehicle himself and attempted to kick her in the head twice before delivering a fatal punch to her skull. Despite desperate pleas from others in the car to call an ambulance, Owusu got back in the car and drove away, telling those present: “No-one cares about her.”

Zahwa was found unresponsive by members of the public at around 5:31am. Emergency services attended, but she was pronounced dead before 6:30am. A post-mortem examination confirmed she had suffered a fractured skull and a fatal brain injury as a result of the assault.

Trial and Conviction

Owusu was arrested in connection with Zahwa’s death and charged with murder. He stood trial at the Old Bailey in London, where the prosecution presented CCTV evidence, witness testimony from those present in the car, and forensic evidence linking Owusu to the fatal assault.

On Thursday, 5 March 2026, a jury at the Old Bailey returned a guilty verdict. Owusu was found guilty of the murder of Zahwa Mukhtar. He had maintained his innocence throughout the trial. Following his conviction, Judge Richard Marks KC remanded Owusu in custody to await sentencing.

Zahwa’s family attended every day of the trial. In a victim impact statement, her family described her as a vibrant and loving young woman who had overcome the challenges of deafness to build a fulfilling life — only to have it brutally ended by a man who showed no remorse.

The Sentence

On Tuesday, 14 April 2026, Duane Owusu was sentenced at the Old Bailey by Judge Richard Marks KC. The judge described Owusu as “callous and selfish” and said his behaviour on the night of the attack — particularly his refusal to summon help as Zahwa lay unconscious in the road — demonstrated a profound disregard for human life.

Owusu was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 16 years and six months. This means he will not be eligible to apply for parole for at least 16 and a half years from the date of sentencing. If granted parole at the earliest opportunity, he would be eligible for release in 2042 at the earliest — though the Parole Board may decide he remains a danger to the public and refuse release. If you want to understand how life sentences work in the UK, see our guide to prison sentencing guidelines.

The Metropolitan Police’s Homicide and Major Crime Command led the investigation. Detective Inspector Daniel Lewis said the case was a reminder of the devastating consequences of violence — and praised Zahwa’s family for their courage throughout the process. If you have a loved one currently in custody, you can find a prisoner through official channels, and learn how to book a prison visit.

Who Was Zahwa Mukhtar?

Zahwa Mukhtar was 27 years old at the time of her death. She had been profoundly deaf since the age of three, after contracting meningitis in childhood. Despite this, Zahwa had built an independent and successful life. She worked as a finance assistant at the Young Vic Theatre in London and had aspirations to qualify as an accountant.

Friends and family described Zahwa as joyful, resilient and full of life. She communicated effortlessly with hearing people and was deeply connected to her community. Her death sparked widespread grief and anger — both because of the senseless violence that ended her life, and because of the fact that those present in the car that night chose to leave her dying in the road rather than seek help.

Zahwa’s case has become emblematic of a broader conversation about violence against women and the devastating impact of bystander inaction. Her family have called for greater awareness of the dangers facing young women on nights out and have expressed hope that Owusu’s life sentence will provide some measure of justice, even though nothing can replace the loss of Zahwa.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Duane Owusu do?

Duane Owusu threw Zahwa Mukhtar from a car and then punched her in the head, causing a fractured skull and fatal brain injury. He left the scene while she was unconscious in the road. Zahwa was found unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene in August 2025.

What sentence did Duane Owusu receive?

Duane Owusu received a life sentence with a minimum term of 16 years and six months at the Old Bailey on 14 April 2026. He will not be eligible to apply to the Parole Board for release until he has served at least that minimum term.

Who was Zahwa Mukhtar?

Zahwa Mukhtar was a 27-year-old finance assistant who worked at the Young Vic Theatre in London. She had been profoundly deaf since the age of three following meningitis. She was described by her family and friends as vibrant, independent and full of ambition.

When was Duane Owusu convicted?

Duane Owusu was convicted of murder on 5 March 2026 following a trial at the Old Bailey in London. He was found guilty by a jury after maintaining his innocence throughout the proceedings.

Where is Duane Owusu being held?

The specific prison where Duane Owusu is held has not been publicly confirmed. Life sentence prisoners in England and Wales are typically held in Category A or Category B prisons initially, depending on their assessed risk level. The Prison Service does not routinely disclose the location of individual prisoners.