A man has been charged with the murder of a woman believed to be working as a prostitute in 1994.

Marina Koppell, also known as Luz-Marina Koppell, 39, was found dead by her English husband in her ground floor flat in York Mansions, Chiltern Street, on August 8, 1994.

She had been stabbed many times.

Sandip Patel, 50, of Finchley Road, St John's Wood, was yesterday (Thursday, March 9) charged with her killing.

He is due to appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates' Court today (Friday, March 10).

This development comes following a review of the investigation by the Met’s Special Casework Team, who review unsolved homicide cases.

Mrs Koppell was reported to have worked under her maiden name of Luz-Marina Gomez de Rubio or the pseudonym Luz-Marina Angarita.

A police spokesman at the time said she was "not a common prostitute" and many of her clients may have been upmarket.

Ham & High: Luz-Marina Koppell had a ground floor flat in York Mansions, Chiltern Street, WestminsterLuz-Marina Koppell had a ground floor flat in York Mansions, Chiltern Street, Westminster (Image: Google)

The Independent newspaper reported in 1994 that she was last seen by cashiers inside the Midland Bank in Baker Street, near her home, at 1.43pm on the day she died.

A keen gambler, at about 4am that day she had been seen leaving the Victoria Casino in George Street, Marble Arch.

Mrs Koppell was described at the time as having had long dark hair with blonde streaks. She was 5ft tall and of medium build, and wore black leggings, high heels, a white suit jacket and sunglasses.

Columbian-born, she had lived in London for 13 years and worked as a prostitute for several years.

She had worked from her two-bedroom flat, which she had moved into two weeks previously, and had advertised using cards placed in telephone boxes.

Mrs Koppell was said to also work as a masseuse, advertising in London listing magazines, and had many legitimate clients.

It was reported at the time that her husband, who lived elsewhere, disapproved of her lifestyle. He discovered his wife's body after being unable to contact her on her mobile telephone.