French au-pair identified as London murder victim

The charred body found in a London garden last month was that of 21-year-old French woman Sophie Lionnet, police said on Tuesday.

Scotland Yard in London ChrisO/Wikipédia

Lionnet, who worked an au-pair, had already been named in British and French media.

"She was originally from Troyes in France. Her next of kin have been informed," London's Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

Two French nationals, 34-year-old Sabrina Kouider, and 40-year-old Ouissem Medouni, reportedly her employers, have been charged with her murder.

Their plea hearing is scheduled for 12 December and the trial is expected to start on 19 March.

Police were called on 20 September by neighbours who spotted thick smoke coming from a back garden in a well-to-do southwest London neighbourhood.

Tributes have poured in for Lionnet on a special Facebook page and a vigil is being planned in her honour on Sunday.