Man who stabbed partner 17 times after break-up found guilty of murder

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails

Sign up to our free breaking news emails

Please enter a valid email address

Please enter a valid email address

SIGN UP

I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

A man who stabbed his partner 17 times after she said she wanted to end their relationship has been found guilty of murder.

Leon Murray, 35, of no fixed address, murdered Keisha Christodoulou, 32, on November 1, 2022, just a day after she said their relationship was over.

Murray travelled to their flat in Tanner’s Hill, Deptford, where he stabbed Ms Christodoulou 17 times.

He then changed his clothes and went to pick up their six-year-old daughter from school.

On arrival, he told a staff member that “it is done” and that he had “ended” Keisha. School staff called 999, as did Murray.

Officers attended the flat and found Ms Christodoulou on the living room floor. Despite efforts by emergency services to save her, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

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 on Friday following a trial at Wood Green Crown Court.

Despite his admission to killing Keisha, Murray’s defence claimed diminished responsibility.

However, the jury accepted the prosecution’s argument that the defendant 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.

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.”