A man who stabbed his heavily pregnant ex-girlfriend, killing her and their baby, has been jailed for life with the minimum term of 35 years at the Old Bailey.
Aaron McKenzie, 26, of Peckham, south London, broke into Kelly-Mary Fauvrelle’s bedroom in the middle of the night and stabbed her 21 times as her family slept upstairs. The tragic attack occurred in June 2019.
Last week, a jury found McKenzie, guilty of murdering 33 weeks pregnant Miss Fauvrelle, the manslaughter of baby Riley and possession of a knife.
Miss Fauvrelle, who was eight months pregnant, died at the home and her son Riley was delivered by emergency Caesarean section at the scene, but died in hospital four days later, the Old Bailey heard.
The court heard McKenzie pretended he had nothing to do with the attack, and even joined Miss Fauvrelle’s family as they mourned her loss and went to the hospital where doctors were trying to save his son, “posing as a victim”.
The prosecution alleged McKenzie had killed Miss Fauvrelle, 26, in a “vicious and cowardly” attack after their “toxic” relationship ended and she moved on. The defendant denied it, claiming a man named Mike, who his pregnant ex owed money to, was responsible for her death.
The court also heard that Miss Fauvrelle’s relationship with McKenzie had ended in February last year after McKenzie messaged her that he was feeling “not needed, not wanted, unimportant, and lost.”
Miss Fauvrelle told him he needed professional help, saying: “Until u get the fact I don’t want to be with you anymore…I will no longer speak or see you unless is about the baby.”
At about 3.15 am on June 29, 2019, an intruder broke into Miss Fauvrelle’s family home in Thornton Heath, south London, through patio doors, the court heard.
Prosecutor Duncan Penny QC had said: “That intruder proceeded to launch a vicious and a cowardly attack upon her, inflicting a total of 21 stab wounds with a knife.
“In the process, the intruder murdered not only Kelly Fauvrelle, but through his attack upon Kelly he killed Riley, the unborn child she was carrying.”
The court heard he was in a jealous rage because he had found an online receipt for a gift she had bought her new partner.
The defendant allegedly lied to the police and did not tell them that he had spent over an hour before the killing accessing and reading his ex-partner’s emails, the court heard.
Mr. Penny also said that McKenzie continued to deceive police, hospital staff, and Ms Fauvrelle’s family until he was arrested and “confessed”.
Claire Mays, from the CPS, said: “This was a vicious and cowardly attack on a heavily pregnant woman, which was borne out of jealousy. Aaron McKenzie murdered his ex-girlfriend and in turn also killed their child Riley.
“Just hours after carrying out the attack, McKenzie went for a driving lesson as if nothing had happened.
“The prosecution evidence included a confession McKenzie had made to police officers taking responsibility for the killings before he decided to change his story and blame his actions on his learning difficulties and depression.
“By choosing to take this tragic case to trial McKenzie took the family of his victim through the heartbreak and ordeal of listening to all of his lies and the damning evidence against someone who had once been a part of their family.
“Although nothing can bring back Kelly and Riley, I hope these convictions provide some comfort to the family. Our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time.”
Today, July, 17, McKenzie was jailed for life with a minimum term of 35 years at the Old Bailey.
After the verdicts were announced, a man reportedly shouted in court “How do you feel, you evil coward?” as McKenzie was taken from the dock.
