Boyfriend of Citibank boss, 43, found bludgeoned to death in her luxury London riverside flat will be extradited to Britain after being found in Kenya

Published: 09:53, 25 June 2026 | Updated: 09:57, 25 June 2026 The boyfriend of a banking executive who was found beaten to death in her luxury London riverside flat will be flown back to Britain from Kenya. Brian Kiprop Kiplagat, 39, is set to return to the UK for questioning about the alleged murder of Marianne Kilonzi following a 16-month international manhunt. He was tracked by undercover police before immigration officers detained him on June 10 as he attempted to travel to Tanzania from the southern Kenya border town of Namanga on a temporary permit. It comes after his 43-year-old girlfriend was discovered by officers with a fatal head injury at her home in Woolwich in January last year. Neighbours at the Royal Arsenal Riverside development are said to have heard 'blood-curdling screams' on the day of her death - with Scotland Yard quickly establishing the suspect had fled abroad after mounting a search for the alleged killer. Mr Kiplagat appeared at the Milimani Law Courts earlier this month. According to local media, the court was told he allegedly sent a text message to Miss Kilonzi's relative describing her death as a 'misfortune'. The hearing heard detectives believed he was still in possession of the mobile phone he used to send the message. Brian Kiprop Kiplagat, 39, is set to return to the UK for questioning about the alleged murder of Marianne Kilonzi following a 16-month international manhunt. The pair are pictured here together Mr Kiplagat was tracked by undercover police before immigration officers detained him on June 10 as he attempted to travel to Tanzania Marianne Kilonzi, 43, who worked as a banker, was found dead at her home in Woolwich, southeast London,in January 2025 An extradition request made by UK authorities has now been granted. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said: 'Upon a comprehensive review of the extradition request and the supporting evidentiary material, the DPP has directed that extradition proceedings be instituted before the courts in Kenya.' An online CV for Ms Kilonzi states she attended Kenyatta University in Nairobi before joining Citibank Kenya in 2006. There she became vice-president for treasury and trade solutions - before being transferred to Britain in June 2023. Joyce Olajo, prosecuting counsel, previously told the court in Milimani that Mr Kiplagat had no fixed address in Kenya and had been moving between various locations. He was also in possession of a number of travel documents, some of which are thought to have been obtained fraudulently, the hearing heard. Miss Olajo successfully argued for Mr Kiplagat to be remanded at the anti-terrorism police unit after describing him as a 'flight risk'. Ms Kilonzi had worked at Citi for more than 18 years, according to her LinkedIn profile, and previously ran a company fundraiser for Cancer Research. Officers were called to the 43-year-old's home on Argyll Road in Woolwich, southeast London, following concerns for her well-being Brian Kiprop Kiplagat, 39, is set to return to the UK for questioning about the alleged murder of Marianne Kilonzi following a 16-month international manhunt. He is pictured here in court Citi told the Daily Mail last January: 'We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague. Our thoughts are with Marianne's family and friends during this difficult time.' A post-mortem examination found Ms Kilonzi died from a blunt force trauma injury to the head. Neighbours are said to have raised concerns with investigating police officers after hearing a loud disturbance coming from her apartment. Residents of the exclusive Royal Arsenal Riverside development were questioned about the 'noisy disturbance' at her first floor apartment. Ms Kilonzi's lifeless body was found after police officers entered her property following concerns for her safety. Patricia Ithau, a close friend of Ms Kilonzi, wrote in an online tribute: 'I echo the often used words, gone too soon, as no words can be more appropriate. You smiled, you laughed, you embodied the spirit of a happy soul. 'You loved to see new places, enjoyed your wine and most of all, you loved your golf. How you loved your golf. Reflecting on the last few years of your life, you enjoyed amazing courses all over the place and shared those experiences with those who cared or didn't. 'Doing all that while building an incredible career as a kick-ass banker, your last role in London, no doubt another feather to your illustrious hat. And yes, you wore that hat with great humility. 'Your leaving this world was brutally tragic. Senseless and painful.' Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.