In a heartbreaking case, Kara Alexander, a 47-year-old mother from Dagenham, East London, has been found guilty of murdering her two young sons.
The shocking incident unfolded in December 2022 when Alexander drowned her sons, Elijah Thomas, two, and Marley Thomas, five, in the bathtub of their home.
Despite initially claiming it was an accident, Alexander was convicted after a jury deliberated for nearly seven hours.
The Unthinkable Discovery
The tragedy began when Selvin Thomas, the boys’ father, arrived at the house to visit his sons for the weekend. Having not heard from Alexander all day, he became concerned.
When he arrived, Alexander, dressed in a hoodie, told him the boys were upstairs sleeping, but she quickly slammed the door in his face.
Mr. Thomas insisted on seeing his children, and when the door was finally opened, he found it was barricaded with toys.
His worry turned to horror when he rushed to their bedroom and discovered both boys lifeless in their bunk bed.
The boys were cold and stiff, their faces the only part of their bodies visible under the duvet.
It was clear to Mr. Thomas that his sons had been dead for some time.
The Mother’s Actions and Denial
In the aftermath of the discovery, Alexander fled the scene, and the police arrived shortly after.
She was arrested about an hour later and later claimed she had left the boys alone in the bath while she smoked cannabis.
Despite initially admitting to gross negligence manslaughter, she denied intentionally causing her sons’ deaths.
Prosecutors, however, argued that the deaths were the result of deliberate actions—either smothering or immersion in water.
Alexander was convicted of two counts of murder.
A Heartbreaking Call for Help
In a chilling 999 call played during the trial, Mr. Thomas was heard desperately screaming for help.
“She killed my children,” he said, explaining that Alexander had slammed the door in his face and refused to let him in.
Upon discovering his sons’ bodies, he frantically tried to make sense of the horror, stating, “She’s lost her mind, and I don’t know what she’s done, she’s killed both my little boys.”
The pain and shock in his voice were unmistakable as he relayed the grim reality to emergency responders.
Legal Proceedings and Defense
During the trial, the defense argued that Alexander was suffering from an acute and transient psychotic disorder at the time of the deaths.
They suggested that she should be considered for a defense of diminished responsibility.
However, the jury convicted her of murder, finding that her actions showed an intention to cause serious harm to the children.
As the case concluded, Mr. Justice Bennathan acknowledged the deep sadness and strain this case had caused everyone involved.
He stated that sentencing would be delayed until psychiatric reports could be reviewed and the wider family had a chance to make statements.
A provisional sentencing date was set for April 11.
The case of Marley and Elijah is a heartbreaking reminder of the devastating consequences of neglect and violence within families.
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