Admin I Friday, August 07, 2026
A BRUTAL partner who waged a hidden campaign of domestic abuse before strangling a devoted mum to death has been convicted of murder.
Alvin Gitahi, 43, faces a life sentence for murdering 35-year-old Vivienne Baraka inside her home in Riverside Close, Ealing, West London.
A jury at Southwark Crown Court found the killer guilty on Thursday, August 6, following a thorough investigation by Metropolitan Police detectives.
Emergency services raced to the property at around 3.15pm on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, after concerns were raised for Vivienne’s welfare.
Paramedics and police officers battled to save the young mother, but she was tragically pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem examination later revealed she died from compression to the neck.
Gitahi was arrested on the spot by officers.
A painstaking inquiry by Met detectives uncovered a chilling pattern of ongoing domestic terror leading up to the tragic killing.
Investigators seized electronic devices from the home, uncovering a trail of text messages that laid bare the horrific abuse Vivienne suffered behind closed doors.
In a heartbreaking final plea, phone records showed Vivienne frantically called her mother shortly before her death, begging her to dial 999.
She warned her mother that she was in immediate danger, telling her that Gitahi “beat her all the time.”
Neighbours also gave vital evidence to police, describing how they heard a woman screaming in distress shortly before officers arrived.
Gitahi was formally charged with murder in October 2025 following extensive enquiries.
In a moving statement following the verdict, Vivienne’s heartbroken family paid tribute to her legacy and praised the justice system.
Her family said: “We are grateful that justice has prevailed. Vivienne was very community-orientated and helped a lot of people during her life.
”She was taken from us far too soon. She was a very much-loved member of our family, and she is missed every day.
”Vivienne’s spirit lives on in her daughter. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us through this difficult time.”
Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Denby, who led the murder hunt, slammed Gitahi’s actions and praised the victim’s loved ones.
DCI Denby said: “Our thoughts are with Vivienne’s loved ones, who have lost a mother, daughter and a friend.
”This is a devastating case where a young woman has been subject to ongoing violence in her own home, culminating in her tragic death.
”While no outcome can undo this loss, we hope today’s conviction brings her family and friends some measure of closure and reassurance that Gitahi has been held accountable for his actions.”
He added: “Our commitment to tackling violence against women and girls remains firm. We will continue to pursue offenders and work closely with partner agencies to prevent harm and support victims.”
Gitahi, of Uxbridge Road, Ealing, was remanded in custody and is scheduled to be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court during the week commencing October 19.
