Mentally ill cannabis smoker killed lawyer in delusion she was Princess Diana’s secret child

Catford solicitor killed by housemate who smoked cannabis and believed she was Diana’s lost daughter.

A solicitor was bludgeoned to death in his own home by a housemate who believed she was the secret daughter of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed, while in the midst of a cannabis-fuelled psychotic episode, a court has heard.

Christopher Brown, aged 72, was found dead in the living room of his home in Polsted Road, Catford. His 35-year-old housemate, Habiba Naveed, had launched a frenzied attack, killing both him and their pet cat, Snow.

The Old Bailey was told that Naveed, who had a long history of severe mental illness, had been smoking cannabis in the days leading up to the killing. She had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2020, though her psychiatric issues dated back to her teenage years.

At the time of the attack on 14 August last year, Naveed was in the throes of a delusion, firmly believing she was the “lost daughter” of the late Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed. Her psychosis, worsened by drug use, had led her to perceive conspiracies and threats in her surroundings.

Brown, a respected solicitor, was discovered with his torso and face covered by a pink dressing gown. Nearby, the cat’s bloodied body was found on the doormat. Emergency services were called after concerns were raised by neighbours, but the violence had already unfolded.

There was no known history of conflict between Brown and Naveed. The attack was described in court as sudden, brutal, and entirely unprovoked. Those who knew Brown have expressed horror at the manner of his death and disbelief that it could happen inside what had been a quiet shared home.

The prosecution detailed Naveed’s deteriorating mental health in the months before the killing. It was revealed she had ceased taking prescribed medication and had begun smoking cannabis again. Experts said this combination likely pushed her into a paranoid and dangerous mental state.

The court accepted that Naveed was not legally responsible for her actions due to her mental illness. Instead of being convicted of murder, she has been detained indefinitely under the Mental Health Act. She will remain in a secure psychiatric facility, with no prospect of release unless deemed safe by medical professionals and the courts.

The case has reignited debate over the role of cannabis in aggravating psychotic disorders. Mental health advocates and legal experts have pointed to the need for earlier intervention and better support systems for individuals with known psychiatric conditions.

Tributes have been paid to Christopher Brown, whose long legal career was marked by quiet dedication and a strong sense of duty. He continued working well into his seventies, respected by colleagues and remembered as kind and meticulous.

A written statement from those close to Brown described his death as “a cruel and senseless tragedy” that “could have been prevented with proper care and monitoring.” The statement also called for stronger safeguards when individuals with severe mental illness are placed in shared housing.

In court, the judge acknowledged the devastating nature of the incident and the lasting impact on the community. While Naveed’s responsibility was mitigated by her condition, the judge said her continued detention was essential to protect the public.

The fatal consequences of Naveed’s psychosis, made worse by cannabis use and lack of treatment, have left a community in shock—and raised difficult questions about how such tragedies can be prevented in future