Aaron McKenzie: ‘Pure evil’ man jailed for life over killing of ex-girlfriend and unborn baby

A man has been jailed for life for killing his heavily pregnant ex-girlfriend and their unborn baby.

Aaron McKenzie, 26, broke into the bedroom of Kelly Fauvrelle’s Croydon home as she slept and stabbed her 21 times, causing catastrophic injuries.

Her son, Riley, was delivered by caesarean section but died in hospital four days later.

McKenzie, from Peckham, had denied killing Ms Fauvrelle and claimed a man named Mike was responsible.

A jury found McKenzie guilty of the murder of Ms Fauvrelle, 26, and the manslaughter of baby Riley.

He was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 35 years at the Old Bailey on Friday for the murder of Ms Fauvrelle, who was 33 weeks pregnant.

Judge Mark Lucraft QC also handed down 20 years for the manslaughter of baby Riley and three years for possession of a knife, to run concurrently.

He told McKenzie it was clear the attack on Ms Fauvrelle, a Royal Mail worker, was “cowardly” and “the most vicious and deliberate killing”.

McKenzie’s actions after the killing in the early hours of 29 June last year demonstrated no “sorrow or remorse”, the judge added.

McKenzie gave the judge a thumbs-up as he was sentenced, while Ms Fauvrelle’s family wept and one shouted: “Yes. I hope you have a good time in jail. Baby killer.”

Ms Fauvrelle’s sister Melissa described her as a selfless, caring, loving woman with a “pure heart”.

Her father Jean Fauvrelle said McKenzie’s “evil act” has devastated their lives and “stolen” his daughter and grandson.

“A baby comes into this world defenceless and it’s up to his mother and father to love and protect him and give him the world. Instead, his father took away his world,” Mr Fauvrelle added.

The court heard Ms Fauvrelle’s relationship with McKenzie, with whom she shared an interest in motorbikes, had ended early last year.

Last March, Ms Fauvrelle told McKenzie’s mother that the relationship was “toxic” but she would not deny him access to their child.

Following the sentencing, detective chief inspector Mick Norman said Ms Fauvrelle’s family had been “devastated”.

He said: “I think it’s very pertinent that the trial started on the anniversary of the day that she died.

“This has been a harrowing and distressing case for all concerned. My thoughts today are with Kelly-Mary’s family, who have suffered immeasurable loss and been put through the agony of a trial.

“Their future with Kelly-Mary and Riley was so cruelly taken from them, and it is fitting that McKenzie’s future has today been taken from him.”

Additional reporting by Press Association