Norma Girolami: Man found guilty of murdering 70-year-old woman from Highgate for her wealth

UPDATE February 22, 2023: Serkan Kaygusuz appeared at the Old Bailey, where he was handed a 35-year prison sentence.

A man has been convicted of the murder of a wealthy woman whose remains were found buried in a north London cemetery.

Serkan Kaygusuz, 42, killed Norma Girolami, 70, in her home in Highgate, north London, on August 19 2021.

The pair, who met at Archway leisure centre, started a relationship but it took a sinister turn when unemployed, Kaygusuz, began asking for money.

Kaygusuz, who denied murder, will be sentenced on Wednesday at the Old Bailey.

He previously admitted perverting the course of justice by concealing Norma’s body as well as stealing her bank cards.

In August 2021, Norma confided in a close friend that she had given more than £200,000 and bought a car for Kaygusuz and that he was constantly asking for more money.

Norma’s funds were depleted and she did not want to give any more money to Kaygusuz.

Norma was initially reported missing by a friend on September 13 2021. Police visited her home, where everything appeared to be in order.

Text messages were received from Norma’s phone number saying she was away on holiday.

However, Norma’s relatives quickly realised that these messages were not from Norma.

The texts were sent from Norma’s phone by Kaygusuz, whose first language was Turkish. They were littered with grammatical errors and pet names were used incorrectly.

Norma was officially reported missing on September 20 2021 and following initial enquiries a murder investigation was launched in October 2021.

On August 19 2021, Norma had been on a day trip to Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.

When she returned home, Kaygusuz visited her in the evening, which was a very uncommon occurrence, and he killed her.

He wrapped her body in a bed sheet and, using items he brought with him, he wrapped Norma in large black plastic waste sacks from ‘Homes for Islington’ before securing the bags with black duct tape.

He took Norma’s body to a churchyard where he buried her in a makeshift grave.

Kayusuz was arrested on October 1 2021 on suspicion of fraud and false imprisonment, but was subsequently further arrested on suspicion of murder.

He was charged on October 4 2021 with murder and two counts of theft. He was remanded in custody where he remained throughout the investigation.

During their investigation, detectives discovered that the defendant had bought items online that included two “spading” forks, six ground stabilisers, overshoes, duct tape, a shovel, long rubber gloves, a large bucket, and forensic style overalls.

He also purchased restraint items including handcuffs, a ball gag with wrist restraints and paracord.

After Norma’s death, Kayusuz had applied for loans in her name amounting to £60,000 and that items of her property, including her jewellery, mobile phone, bank cards, passport and house keys, were found at his address and the address of another woman with whom he was in a relationship.

Norma’s remains were recovered from St James Churchyard at Friern Barnet on November 1 2022.

Det Ch Insp Kate Blackburn, the senior investigating officer, said “I am pleased that the outcome is a guilty verdict. Kayusuz’s treatment of Norma was calculated, controlling and highly abusive.

“He is a dangerous man, fuelled by greed and I urge any other women who may have been pursued by him to get in touch, at the very least to ensure that you are supported.”