Former UK Serviceman Accused of Murdering Kenyan Female Appears in Courtroom

A suspect has shown up before a judge as extradition proceedings started in the investigation of Agnes Wanjiru, a Kenyan national, a woman of Kenyan origin who was murdered near a British forces camp in 2012.

Purkiss, 38, who is a native of Greater Manchester region, was presented at Westminster magistrates court on Friday, and stated to the court he intended to contest the deportation. Sources suggest that he was detained on Thursday evening.

A detention order for the defendant was released by a Nairobi court in September. The prosecution informed the Kenyan judiciary that Purkiss had been accused of a one count, of killing, and that the Kenyan authorities would pursue his extradition to stand trial.

Purkiss previously worked as a army medic with the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, the infantry regiment for the northwestern England, including on tours of Afghanistan.

The victim, 21 years old, a hair stylist who had a infant daughter, went missing after a evening out, and her corpse was located two months later in the area of the accommodation where she had previously spotted.

Not a single person had previously been arrested or accused in relation to her passing. His detention was the result of a fresh police investigation, which was initiated after a exposé in the year 2021 by a Sunday newspaper, in which the newspaper reached out to several current and former soldiers in the military group.

This inquiry has been headed by detectives in Kenya, which, under a bilateral security treaty, maintains prosecutorial power in the case.