Keisha Christodoulou was murdered by her partner Leon Murray (Picture: Metropolitan Police/PA)
A man who stabbed his partner 17 times after she ended their relationship has been found guilty of murder.
Leon Murray, 35, killed Keisha Christodoulou, 32 – the mother of his child – at their flat in Deptford, London on November 1, 2022.
He struck her with a knife 17 times just a day after she broke up with him.
Murray then changed his clothes and went to pick up their six-year-old daughter from school.
When he arrived Murray told a staff member ‘it is done’ and that he had ‘ended’ Keisha. Both the school and Murray called 999.
Police rushed to the flat and discovered Ms Christodoulou lying on the living room floor.
Paramedics tried to save her, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ms Christodoulou had ended the couple’s relationship the day before he killed her (Picture: Metropolitan Police/PA Wire)
A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as sharp force trauma to the chest.
The Metropolitan Police said Murray was found guilty of murder yesterday following a trial at Wood Green Crown Court.
Murray had admitted killing his partner, but his defence claimed diminished responsibility.
However, the jury accepted the prosecution’s argument that the defendant knew what he was doing and his mind was not impaired.
He will be sentenced at the same court on Monday.
Murray’s attack on Ms Christodoulou was described as ‘utterly shocking’ (Picture: Metropolitan Police/PA Wire)
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Detective inspector Adam Clifton, who led the investigation for the Met Police, 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.’
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