Student, 19, found dead in halls as stepfather faces murder charge
Carla Georgescu, a 19-year-old second-year clinical psychology student at the University of Lancashire, was found dead in her halls of residence on 5 February—what would have been her 20th birthday. She was allegedly strangled by her stepfather, Nathan Owens, 34, after prosecutors say he developed a "dangerous sexual obsession" with her. The case has raised significant concerns about safeguarding practices at universities and protecting students from family-related harm.
Owens is alleged to have driven overnight from Hartlepool in the early hours of 4 February after learning Carla planned to meet someone she had connected with romantically online. He reportedly entered her accommodation around 4am and departed 90 minutes later. Carla was discovered slumped against a wardrobe with a leather belt around her neck, facial injuries and defensive wounds to her hands. A post-mortem examination revealed two heavy blows to her head, knife wounds and evidence of sexual assault. Prosecutors allege Owens later disposed of evidence including bloodstained clothing and attempted to conceal his identity when leaving the building.
- Student, 19, found dead on her 20th birthday in university halls.
- Stepfather accused of strangling her after developing sexual obsession.
- Court heard he drove overnight, possibly motivated by romantic jealousy.
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Carla Georgescu was a 19-year-old clinical psychology student at the University of Lancashire, in her second year of study. She was found dead in her halls of residence on what would have been her twentieth birthday. Her death has raised significant concerns about university safeguarding and the protection of students from harm.
Nathan Owens, 34, her stepfather, is charged with her murder. Prosecutors allege that he travelled overnight from Hartlepool after learning she intended to meet someone she had connected with online, and that he was responsible for her death. The case involves serious allegations including sexual assault.
The incident has prompted questions about how universities protect their students from family-related violence and domestic harm. It has highlighted the particular challenges institutions face in safeguarding students living in halls of residence, even when they appear to be in a safe environment away from home.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “University student, 19, ‘strangled to death’ by stepfather who drove to her university halls after developing a ‘sexual obsession’ with her”.