A 64-year-old man allegedly attacked a 20-year-old woman using a power tool in a converted shipping container in the north-west area of London, then wheeled out her body in a bin.
Neculai Paizan, the man who is believed to have hit Agnes Akom over the head 20 times with a power tool, is facing life imprisonment after being convicted of her murder. The power tool used to kill her, a jigsaw, was found with the victim's hair stuck to it. Her clothes were also found there.
Akom was reported missing on May 11, 2021; then after a month, on June 14, 2021, her body was found buried in a wooded area of Neasden recreation ground, hidden under a pile of branches and logs. Her body was wrapped in a black plastic bag with a cord tied around her throat.
Paizan, originally from Romania, worked as a concrete mixer driver. He will be sentenced to life imprisonment, the mandatory punishment for murder. Paizan was connected to the murder as pieces of evidence were seen on phone data, CCTV, and blood that matched Akom's DNA found in the container. The video footage shows Paizan putting her body in his car boot after washing his hands and face.
The following day he used a wheelie bin to take her to woodland at Neasden Recreation Ground, where he buried the body under logs and branches. Paizan visited the park five times over the days that followed.
DCI Neil John, said, "The level of violence Paizan used in his attack on Agnes is truly horrific. What she suffered inside the container does not bear thinking about. Whilst it is not clear why he killed her that day, his attempts to hide his crime in the following hours and days show a calculated effort to ensure that not only was Agnes never found, but that he would not be caught."
Akom, also known as Dora, is originally from Hungary, she worked for a coffin maker. The two had reportedly met 18 months before the murder. The court heard that Paizan had given Akom money.
"Our investigation, and what we know about Agnes, tell us that whilst she was vulnerable, he has clearly lied about her background and personal situation in an attempt to sway the jury. It is likely that he preyed upon these vulnerabilities to abuse her, ultimately leading to her murder," John added.
Paizan, a father of four, confessed to moving the body; however, he firmly denied murder after falsely claiming Akom tried to poison him with iced coffee. He said she was "like a daughter" and that he called her "princess, little angel and sparrow" while she called him "grandpa." Still, evidence suggested Paizan preyed on her vulnerability and promised to give her money. Paizan claimed Akom had asked for money and drugs. However, there was no evidence the victim was a drug addict or sex worker.
Prosecutor Jake Hallam QC dismissed Paizan's story as a series of lies and the jury found him guilty of murder after an hour of deliberations. The judge adjourned sentencing until July 25.
