A 42-year-old Lidl worker, Serkan Kaygusuz, has been sentenced to a minimum of 35 years in prison for the murder of 70-year-old Norma Girolami, who he met at a swimming pool in Archway, north London, in 2017.
Kaygusuz, who befriended Girolami over a period of three years, siphoned £284,000 from her before killing her. Following her murder, he buried her body in a churchyard in Friern Barnet where it remained hidden for 15 months.
Kaygusuz admitted to hiding her body and spending her money, but denied killing her. He was found guilty of murder at the Old Bailey after a jury deliberated for just 19 minutes. Kaygusuz declined to give evidence in his trial.
Kaygusuz was described as arrogant and vain and made increasing demands for cash from Girolami after their sexual relationship was short-lived. The defendant had plotted to take what remained of Girolami’s assets by killing her after she refused to part with more money. Kaygusuz had already admitted perverting the course of justice, theft of the victim’s jewelry, draining her bank account, and fraudulently applying for £60,000 in loans in her name.
