Man in custody over model's death

A man charged with the murder of a model who was stabbed to death has been remanded in custody.

David Gikawa, 38, appeared at Thames Magistrates' Court in London accused of killing Linah Keza while she was at home with her young daughter on Wednesday.

Ms Keza, 29, was found with stab wounds to her chest at her home in King Edward Road, Leyton, east London, at around 4.30am and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gikawa spoke only to give his name, date of birth and address, of King Edward Road, Leyton, during the one minute hearing. He will appear next at the Old Bailey on Tuesday.

Tributes have been paid to the model, who was born in Uganda before moving to Rwanda as a teenager.

She came to the UK more than 10 years ago and graduated from the University of Wolverhampton.

Her brother Jack Hodari told the Evening Standard: "It's so tragic that good people die this young.

"I am not saying this because she was my sister, but the whole world can tell you this."

Chairman of the Rwandan Community in London, Patrice Shema, said: "We still can't believe that Linah is gone. You see these things on television but when it happens to you and it's a close friend, that's when the reality hits home.

"Linah has been a very active member of our community. She was such a wonderful girl, very happy, passionate about modelling."