A teenager who went on a knife rampage in Russell Square has admitted to stabbing a woman to death and injuring five other people.
Unemployed Zakaria Bulhan killed 64-year-old mother-of-two and retired teacher, Darlene Horton, on the evening of August 3 last year.
He also launched an attack on several other people on the same night just before 10.30pm.
Armed police swooped on the scene within six minutes of emergency calls from members of the public.
The 19-year-old was arrested.
Fears of a terror attack were later calmed as it emerged the youngster's violent behaviour had been sparked by mental illness.
Following the stabbings Bulhan was described as a "quiet, academic loner" who liked football, basketball and music.
On Monday (February 6) Bulhan denied murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility, at the Old Bailey.
He also pleaded not guilty to five counts of attempted murder, but admitted to five counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The other victims of the horrific attack were Martin Hoenisch, Lillie Sellentin, David Imber, Bernard Hepplewhite and Yovel Lewronski, aged between 18 and 67.
Mrs Horton, who died at the scene, had been visiting London with her husband, Richard Wagner - a university professor from Florida who was teaching summer classes - and she was due to return to their home in Tallahassee the following day.
A neighbour described her as "absolutely lovely" and "just one of the nicest, sweetest, family-focused people".
Mr Hoenisch, a retired fireman from Las Vegas, was visiting London with his wife, Laurie Kelly, when he was injured in the attack which he said was a "very unreal experience" on Facebook.
Ms Lewronski, 18, was on a visit to London from Tel Aviv when she was stabbed in the upper arm.
She said on Facebook she did not know whether to call it "luck or fate" that she escaped death, adding that she had watched as Mrs Horton "perished in front of my eyes".
The defendant is a Norwegian national of Somali origin who moved to the UK in 2002.
He lived with his mother and siblings in a council flat in Tooting and was a student at local Graveney School.
The court heard he was suffering an "acute" episode of paranoid schizophrenia at the time of the attacks.
Prosecutor Mark Heywood QC said the case had been considered at the "highest level" and it was decided it was right to accept the pleas.
Mr Justice Spencer ordered attempted murder charges to lie on file.
Armed officers began a search to track down Bulhan who had made off on foot away from the scene.
A man matching his description was located in Bedford Place and as police ordered him to stop he ran screaming towards Bloomsbury Square.
Police surrounded him and ordered him to drop the knife but he refused and was Tasered.
He was taken to hospital for a head injury suffered from the fall and charged on August 5 with murder and five counts of attempted murder.
Detective Inspector Tony Lynes, of the Met's Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: "We now know Bulhan was suffering a severe episode of mental health.
"He clearly poses an enormous risk to the general public and I hope he can now get the help he needs.
"I would like to commend our armed officers who were called to the incident that night not knowing what they might encounter.
"However, our thoughts must remain with Bulhan's victims who were simply enjoying a night out on a summer's evening when they were subjected to this terrifying ordeal.
"And of course the friends and family of Darlene Horton who so sadly lost her life."
Sentencing will continue on Tuesday (February 7).
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