The family of a social media influencer who died after being hit by a car driven by a former X Factor finalist has told of their “living hell” as they kept a week-long vigil by her hospital bedside. Klaudia Zakrzewska, 32, known online as Klaudiaglam, passed away on Saturday, six days after the collision on Argyll Street in Soho.
In a statement, her family said she had been declared “brain dead” before her organs began to fail. “Klaudia touched many hearts and we are all in agony,” they said. Her mother, Kinga, had previously written on a fundraising page: “Those who know me understand how much I love my daughter and what a special bond we have, and I cannot give up on my baby girl.”
Chaotic scene outside Soho nightclub
The incident occurred at around 4.30 am on Sunday, 19 April, outside the Inca nightclub at 8–9 Argyll Street. Footage circulating online appears to show a woman getting into a black car before it surges forward, striking Ms Zakrzewska and dragging her under the vehicle. Reports indicate the collision followed an altercation outside the club, with witnesses describing a chaotic scene of shouting.
Three other people were also injured. A 58-year-old man sustained life-changing injuries after being hit while trying to move his e-scooter. A security guard, Anoush Chyche, 56, also suffered what were described as life-changing injuries. A third woman, identified as Latisha Armstrong, suffered minor injuries including a fractured scaphoid bone in her wrist.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed the incident is not being treated as terrorism-related and that nightclubs in the area were still open at the time, suggesting potential witnesses remained to be traced.
Court proceedings and murder charge
Gabrielle Carrington, 29, from Manchester, a former finalist on The X Factor in 2013 as part of the girl group Miss Dynamix, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 21 April, initially charged with attempted murder, grievous bodily harm with intent, actual bodily harm, dangerous driving, and drink driving. Following Ms Zakrzewska’s death, the Metropolitan Police confirmed the attempted murder charge has been increased to murder.
Carrington is also accused of being nearly twice the legal drink-drive limit. A breath test recorded 61 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath; the legal limit is 35 microgrammes. She is further charged with dangerous driving, causing injuries to a third woman and a security guard.
During the hearing, Carrington — described in court as a “social media influencer” who makes regular trips to the United Arab Emirates and has more than 365,000 followers on Instagram under the handle RIELLEUK — made a heart sign with her hands towards friends and family in the packed public gallery as she was led from the dock. She did not enter any pleas. The court remanded her in custody, and she is due to appear next at the Old Bailey on 19 May.
Detective Chief Inspector Alison Foxwell, who is leading the investigation, expressed “deepest sympathies” to Ms Zakrzewska’s family and friends. She urged the public to “refrain from further speculation” and not to share graphic footage “out of respect for Klaudia’s loved ones and for those who have been injured.” She warned that circulation of such material “could also undermine our ongoing criminal investigation and potentially prejudice future court proceedings.”
Crowdfunding for treatment and legal fees
A GoFundMe page set up by Ms Zakrzewska’s mother, Kinga, has raised more than £21,000 to support her daughter’s treatment and the family’s legal fees. The page said: “If at any time things take a turn for the worst, additional funds will go towards funeral costs and continuous support for the family.”
In her message on the fundraising page, Kinga wrote: “Anyone who knew my gorgeous daughter knows how truly wonderful she is. She has touched so many people with her pure heart and kindness, and she deserves every chance to keep fighting.”
