In the early hours of November 22, 2025, a sense of safety was shattered at Somerleyton House, a shared accommodation block in Norwich’s Golden Triangle. The building, known for housing both students and professionals, became the focus of a major police investigation after a man in his 30s was fatally stabbed in the chest. The incident, which unfolded just before dawn, has left the local community reeling and searching for answers as police work to piece together the events that led to the tragedy.
According to reports from BBC and The Tab, emergency services were called to Somerleyton House on Somerleyton Street at approximately 5:22am. Residents and neighbors awoke to the sound of sirens, fire alarms, and, more chillingly, panicked screams echoing through the halls. One resident, Ben, recounted to Norwich Evening News: "There were shouts and all that sort of thing, and then the fire alarm went off. We all thought it was just another fire alarm. Everyone was in flip-flops and shorts. But then the police started turning up. I tried sleeping through it, but I couldn’t. There were like seven police cars."
Within minutes, the building was cordoned off. Police officers and forensic teams moved swiftly, sealing off Somerleyton House and evacuating its occupants. Many tenants, still in their pajamas and slippers, gathered outside in the cold morning air, unsure of what had transpired inside their home. According to Eastern Daily Press, some were visibly distraught, with at least one woman left in tears after being denied access to her room to retrieve her mobile phone. She explained, "I have no landline, and no important numbers memorised, and was therefore unable to make contact with anyone at home after the tragedy."
The victim, whose identity has not been released by police, was pronounced dead at the scene. A Home Office post-mortem examination conducted on November 23 confirmed the cause of death as a stab wound to the chest. The killing sent shockwaves through the community, especially since Somerleyton House sits in the heart of Norwich’s Golden Triangle, a popular suburb for young people and students attending the University of East Anglia, Norwich University of the Arts, and the University of Law.
Norfolk Police responded swiftly to the incident, arresting Benjamin Katabana, a 27-year-old Congolese national who resided on Somerleyton Street. Katabana was taken to Wymondham Police Investigation Centre, where detectives had until the evening of November 23 to complete their questioning. By the following day, Katabana had been charged with murder and was remanded in custody. He was scheduled to appear before Norwich Magistrates’ Court on Monday, November 24, 2025, as confirmed by multiple outlets including BBC and The Tab.
Police have repeatedly emphasized that this was an "isolated event with no wider risk to the local community." A police spokeswoman told Eastern Daily Press, "At this stage it is believed to be an isolated event with no wider risk to the local community." This reassurance, however, has done little to calm the nerves of Somerleyton House’s residents, many of whom were temporarily relocated to a hotel while police continued their inquiries. A relief centre was initially set up at Wensum Community Centre on Hotblack Road to support those affected, but the need for longer-term accommodation quickly became apparent as the investigation stretched into the weekend.
The scale of the police operation was evident throughout the day. Forensic teams entered the building, searching for evidence and documenting the scene. A private ambulance arrived at Somerleyton House around 6pm on November 22, an eyewitness told the Eastern Daily Press, and was seen driving to the right-hand side of the building. The cordon around the accommodation block remained in place well into Sunday, with officers collecting essential items for tenants unable to return to their rooms.
Residents described a chaotic and frightening morning. One tenant recounted, "On the morning of the murder, tenants heard screams of 'someone's dead' and the fire alarm was activated, causing occupants to evacuate." The suddenness of the event left many shaken, with some expressing concern about returning to their flats. “They’ll probably clear out and say we can go back soon, but I think there will be blood stains on the floor, and they won’t have cleared it up," one occupant told The Tab.
Somerleyton House, which contains 59 bedrooms split across multiple flats, markets itself as “professional and student accommodation.” Its central location and mixed-resident model have made it a popular choice for young people and professionals alike. The incident has cast a pall over the building’s reputation for safety and community, with many questioning how such violence could erupt in what was supposed to be a secure environment.
As details continue to emerge, the police have urged anyone with information to come forward, directing potential witnesses to contact Norfolk Police via their website or by calling 101 and quoting incident number 51 of November 22, 2025. The investigation remains ongoing, with officers determined to establish the full circumstances that led to the fatal stabbing.
For now, Norwich’s student and professional communities are left to grapple with the aftermath of an event that has upended their sense of security. The University of East Anglia, Norwich University of the Arts, and the University of Law have all expressed concern for their students and staff living in the area, offering support and counseling services in the wake of the tragedy.
While police continue their inquiries and the legal process unfolds, the residents of Somerleyton House are left to pick up the pieces. The events of November 22 have left an indelible mark on Norwich’s Golden Triangle, serving as a stark reminder of the fragility of safety and the resilience of a community in the face of sudden violence.
As the investigation progresses and more information comes to light, Norwich’s residents remain watchful, hopeful that justice will be served and that their city can once again be a place where young people, students, and professionals can live without fear.
