Student killer Nathan Owens begins 35-year life sentence

Summarised from LancsLive's report · Updated 23 Oct, 21:32 · Archive

Nathan Owens has begun a life sentence for the sadistic murder of student Carla Georgescu, 19, at her Preston halls of residence.

Nathan Owens is beginning a life sentence with a minimum term of 35 years for the murder of 19-year-old student Carla Georgescu. The murder occurred at her halls of residence in Preston on 4 February. Owens gained entry by claiming Carla's mother had left her purse behind during a weekend visit. He subjected Carla to a sexual attack and strangled her, then staged the scene to look like suicide.

After the murder, Owens returned to Hartlepool and disposed of Carla's mobile phone and other evidence. He then spent the day with Carla's mother, shopping and walking on the beach. When officers visited the family home, they initially thought Carla had died by suicide. Owens cried and was comforted by Carla's mother but lied about when he had last seen her, claiming she had asked him to help tidy her room.

During investigation, his digital devices revealed he had made deepfake images of Carla and recorded sexual acts in her bedroom. Owens pleaded guilty to two counts of making indecent images by manipulating her childhood photos. He was found guilty of murder and GBH following trial at Preston Crown Court.

Read the report

• 'Despicable' killer begins life sentence for sadistic murder of student with everything to live for'You took victim blaming to its limit. That illustrates how despicable you are."LancsLive · 23 Oct, 18:05

In this story: Nathan Owens · Carla Georgescu · Preston · Hartlepool · Preston Crown Court

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