Man guilty of killing mother and unborn baby in Thornton Heath, south London

A man has been found guilty of killing a pregnant woman and her unborn son in south London.

Aaron McKenzie, 26, was convicted of the murder of Kelly-Mary Fauvrelle, the manslaughter of her son Riley and possession of an offensive weapon at the Old Bailey on Friday.

Police officers and ambulance workers were called to an address in Raymead Avenue, Thornton Heath, in the early hours of June 29 2019, where they found eight-month pregnant Ms Fauvrelle with 21 stab wounds.

Ms Fauvrelle died at the scene despite the efforts of emergency workers. Medics delivered her son Riley, but he also died in hospital days later.

Ms Fauvrelle was sleeping in a ground-floor bedroom, with a cot already set up for the new baby, while her family were upstairs. Her sister heard her screaming and came down to find her.

The family did not see the anyone come or go from the property and there was no sign of forced entry. But CCTV footage showed a man believed to be McKenzie walking towards the flat at about 3.15am and running away ten minutes later.

McKenzie and Ms Fauvrelle had previously been in a relationship. He originally "played the victim" after the murder and was initially treated as a witness rather than a suspect, police said.

He even visited Riley in hospital and joined the family as they mourned.

McKenzie was eventually arrested on July 11 2019. He was charged with murder, manslaughter and possession of an offensive weapon four days later. Police said he told them: “No one else was involved in this. There was no reason for it other than my faults”.

Despite the admission McKenzie pleaded not guilty at the trial, saying that he was "under pressure" when he admitted the crimes. He also provided the first name of another man who he said was responsible for murdering Ms Fauvrelle.

Detective Chief Inspector Mick Norman of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command said: “This case has been nothing short of heart-breaking for Kelly’s family and for the officers who have become close to them.

“The agonising loss of such a young woman and her child at a time when they were eagerly awaiting Riley’s birth and looking forward to a happy future is beyond imagining.

“Despite the evidence against him, McKenzie has subjected Kelly and Riley’s family to the trauma of a trial.

“The theft of Kelly and Riley’s happy futures is something that will haunt those who loved her forever and I sincerely hope that Aaron McKenzie is similarly affected as he faces his future incarcerated.”