A boyfriend who killed his partner by stabbing her 17 times is guilty of murder

A jealous boyfriend who murdered his ex-girlfriend after she dumped him is facing life in prison. Leon Murray, 35, was remanded in custody after he was found guilty of killing his partner Keisha Christodoulou. Wood Green Crown Court heard that Murray had stabbed Ms Christodoulou at least 17 times after she told him she no longer wished to be involved with him. 

Detective Inspector Adam Clifton, who led the investigation, said: ‘Murray’s horrific response to Keisha deciding to end their relationship is as senseless as it is selfish. Throughout the investigation and trial, Murray has tried to paint himself as a victim. The verdict of the jury shows that they rejected this.
‘The level of violence used in the attack is utterly shocking and our thoughts remain with Keisha’s family and friends, particularly her three young children whose lives will never be the same.
‘Tackling violence against women is one of our top priorities and we will continue in our efforts to bring dangerous perpetrators like Murray to justice. I would encourage anyone suffering domestic abuse to seek support.’
The court heard that Ms Christodoulou told Murray on October 31, 2022 that their relationship was over. 
As a result, Murray travelled to Tanner’s Hill, Deptford where he stabbed Ms Christodoulou 17 times. 

After murdering Ms Christodoulou, he changed his clothes and picked up their six-year-old daughter from school. 
At the school, Murray told a member of staff that ‘it is done’ and he had ‘ended’ his former partner. Staff called 999 and Murray also called the police where he admitted what he had done. Police raced to the couple’s flat where they found Ms Christodoulou 
On arrival, he told a member of staff that ‘it is done’ and that he had ‘ended’ Keisha. Staff quickly called 999, as did Murray, telling police what he had done.Officers attended the flat and found Keisha, who was just 32, on the living room floor. Despite the efforts of the emergency services, she was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as sharp force trauma to the chest.
Murray admitted killing Keisha but his defence claimed diminished responsibility. The jury accepted the prosecution’s argument that Murray had no substantial impairment of his responsibility and that he knew what he was doing. He will be sentenced at the same court on Monday, 3 June.

Author: Andrew Collins

Andrew Collins

London, UK