UEA releases statement after grad fatally stabbed in student accommodation is named

A man who was stabbed and killed in university accommodation has been named as Ucheena Okirie, a UEA graduate.

Police were called to shared accommodation off Unthank Road, Norwich, on Saturday morning (November 22nd).

27-year-old Benjamin Katabana has since been charged with murder and is due to appear at Norwich Magistrates’ Court.

The University of East Anglia has since released a statement, where it offered support to UEA students residing at Somerleyton House.

via Google Maps

Emergency services were called to the shared student and young professional accommodation, Somerleyton House on Somerleyton Street, at about 5:22am on Saturday.

Ucheena Okirie was pronounced dead at the scene due to a stab wound to the chest, a post-mortem concluded. Court documents confirmed him to be the Nigerian UEA graduate in his 30s, who was also a Red Cross volunteer.

In a statement, a UEA spokesperson said: “We can confirm that Uche Okirie successfully completed an MSc in development economics at UEA in September 2022. We extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all those affected by this tragic loss.

“Checks of our student records identified a handful of current UEA students residing at Somerleyton House. The university has reached out to each of them and will ensure they receive all the support they need.

“The university remains committed to supporting all affected students during this difficult time.”

A resident called Ben told Norwich Evening News: “There were shouts and all that sort of thing, and then the fire alarm went off.

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“We all thought it was just another fire alarm. Everyone was in flip-flops and shorts. But then the police started turning up. I tried sleeping through it, but I couldn’t. There were like seven police cars.”

Another occupant said after the murder in Norwich on Saturday: “They’ll probably clear out and say we can go back soon, but I think there will be blood stains on the floor, and they won’t have cleared it up.”

Katabana, a Congolese national, will appear in court on November 24th.

If you feel affected by this story, please speak to someone or contact Samaritans on 116 123 at any time. 

You can contact Anxiety UK on 03444 775 774, Mind on 0300 123 3393, and Calm (Campaign against living miserably, for men aged 15 to 35) on 0800 58 58 58.

UEA students can find support here.  

Featured image via LinkedIn and Google Maps