Dying woman identified her 'cold-hearted' killer

A woman who was found in a street with fatal stab wounds named her killer before she died.

Claudia Kambanza, 22, was "brutally" attacked by Mateus Johannes, 29, in Hinderwell Street, Hull, in January last year, Humberside Police said.

Johannes, who pleaded guilty to murder and possessing a bladed article, was handed a life sentence at Hull Crown Court earlier and told he must serve a minimum of 22 years.

Insp Lauren Clough, who investigated the murder, described Johannes, of North Street, Peterborough, as a "cold-hearted killer".

Johannes stabbed Ms Kambanza in the head during the attack within a property at about 03:00 GMT on 26 January 2024.

She ran out into the street, but he followed and stabbed her in the abdomen before kicking and punching her as she lay on the ground, officers said.

Ms Kambanza was taken to hospital where she told doctors the name of her attacker before she died.

Meanwhile, Johannes walked two miles to Bankside before ringing 999 to tell officers where he was and what he had done.

Insp Clough said the attack had been so violent, Johannes had broken the knife.

She said: "Nobody should ever lose their life at the hands of a knife.

"My thoughts remain with Claudia's family and friends who must continue to navigate a life without her."

In a statement, Ms Kambanza's family paid tribute to "a cherished daughter, friend and confidante".

She was "kind, bubbly and warm-hearted" and "the hole" that had been left behind would "never be filled".

"Whilst the result in court today will never bring her back, we find some solace knowing that he has been locked away for a long time," the family added.

Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.