Former British Soldier Accused of Killing Kenya Female Shows Up in Courtroom

An individual has appeared in court as extradition proceedings began in the legal matter of Agnes Wanjiru, a Kenyan national, a female from Kenya who was found dead near a UK military installation in the year 2012.

Purkiss, thirty-eight, who is a native of Greater Manchester region, showed up in the Westminster court on the last Friday, and told the court he intended to contest the extradition request. Reports indicate that he was taken into custody on Thursday night.

A warrant for arrest for the suspect was issued by a Nairobi court in September. The prosecution stated before the Kenyan court that Purkiss had been charged with a one count, of murder, and that the government of Kenya would request his deportation to face charges.

Purkiss previously worked as a medic with the Lancaster Regiment, the infantry regiment for the north-west of England, including on missions to Afghanistan.

Wanjiru, 21 years old, a hair stylist who had a infant daughter, vanished after a night out, and her corpse was discovered 60 days later in the grounds of the lodging where she had most recently observed.

No one had previously been taken into custody or charged in relation to her passing. Purkiss’s arrest followed a fresh police investigation, which was initiated after a report in 2021 by a Sunday newspaper, in which the publication contacted several current and former soldiers in the regiment.

This inquiry has been headed by investigators from Kenya, which, under a bilateral defence agreement, holds legal authority in the matter.