Student murdered by stepdad was 'a beautiful soul', flatmates say

A student murdered by her "sexually obsessed" stepfather has been remembered as a "beautiful and gentle soul" by her flatmates following his sentencing.

Carla Georgescu was killed by Nathan Owens, 34, in her room at the University of Lancashire in Preston, in February.

On Friday Owens was jailed for a minimum of 35 years after killing Carla on what was her 20th birthday.

Speaking after the sentencing, her flatmate Imogen Flower said: "Carla is missed so much by everyone who knew her."

The 22-year-old said: "Every time I spoke to her, she'd always find something lovely or kind to highlight, because that's who she was.

"She was gentle, attentive and kind, and always wanted her friends to feel something positive about themselves.

"She was passionate about wanting to help others."

The third year student added: "She was a beautiful and gentle soul who had so much love and talent to give the world."

Carla's other flatmate Jennifer Kirkham, 19, said: "She had a way with words and had a grace to her."

Jennifer described Owens, from Hartlepool on Teesside, as "twisted".

She said: "Every time I looked at him he was smiling or just looking bored.

"He laughed when he heard the guilty verdict. He actually laughed quietly to himself, like it was some inside joke.

"The rage that I felt.

"He was supposed to look after her.

"He stood up to take the role of a father and he didn't because for some sick, twisted reason his desires were more important than her life.

"I will never understand the cruelty and twisted nature of somebody who could do something like that."

Preston Crown Court heard Owens had a "longstanding sexual obsession with Carla" that was hidden from her and her mother.

The second-year student suffered knife wounds, including injuries where she tried to defend herself, internal injuries from a sexual assault and two "powerful blows to the head", the judge said.

Owens also attempted to strangle her.

Prosecuting Nicholas Lumley said Carla was "thriving" at the University of Lancashire, and had planned to continue her studies at a high level, "working towards a doctorate".

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