Promising Zimbabwean Law Student Found Dead in UK River
A wave of sadness has hit both the Zimbabwean and UK communities after the tragic death of 19-year-old Christine Chido Benjamin, a Zimbabwean-born law student with big dreams. Christine was found dead in Manchester’s River Irwell on Thursday, 17 July 2025.
Christine was well-known for her ambition and academic success. She had earned four scholarships and was studying law, with hopes of becoming a barrister. Her life was cut short when specialist police divers recovered her body following a night-long search near the Lowry Hotel—the last place she was seen.
How the Tragedy Unfolded
According to police, the search began shortly after midnight when they received reports that someone had entered the river on the border between Salford and Manchester. Emergency services responded quickly, bringing in marine rescue teams and underwater search units. The area around Blackfriars Road was sealed off as divers searched the waters.
Christine’s mother, clearly devastated, shared more painful details about what happened in the days before her daughter’s death. She said Christine had just returned from a holiday in Portugal but was visibly unsettled and confused. Her mother could immediately tell something was wrong.
Christine was taken to an undisclosed hospital, where she privately told nurses that her friends in Portugal had given her cannabis. Although she received treatment and was later discharged, her mother said Christine’s mental health seemed to get worse. She started speaking in strange ways, often referring to herself in the third person, saying things like, “I saw my daughter has fled.” Family members also noticed her wandering aimlessly around local shops and restaurants.
Promising Zimbabwean Law Student Found Dead in UK River
The family’s frustration grew when they struggled to get help from authorities. Christine’s mother said they pleaded with police to look for her, but at first, their requests were ignored. “They refused to search for her,” her mother claimed. She added that later, the police called her and asked to speak in person, only to break the devastating news that Christine had been found dead.
She added that later, the police called her and asked to speak in person, only to break the devastating news that Christine had been found dead.
Cause of Death Still Under Investigation
Police have not yet confirmed how Christine died. A post-mortem is expected, and the family is holding on to hope that the investigation will give them answers about what really happened.
Christine’s death has left many shocked and heartbroken. She was remembered as a hard-working young woman with big dreams, admired for her intelligence, courage, and determination. Friends and supporters have described her as someone who was on track for a bright future, making her sudden passing all the more painful.
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The post Promising Zimbabwean Law Student Found Dead in UK River appeared first on iHarare News.
