The quiet town of Walsall was left reeling after a shocking and senseless act of violence shook its local community.
Rhiannon Whyte, a 27-year-old mother and British hotel worker, was murdered in a seemingly random attack by a man she had been helping as part of her job.
Her tragic death has prompted grief, anger, and an unflinching spotlight on the circumstances surrounding her killer.
Deng Chol Majek, a migrant who arrived in the UK by small boat only months prior, has been sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 29 years for the brutal stabbing.
The attack, which left Rhiannon with 23 stab wounds, occurred just three months after Majek entered the country illegally.
The Attack That Shattered Lives
The violence unfolded on the evening of October 20, 2023.
After completing a night shift at the Park Inn Hotel, Rhiannon made the short walk to Walsall’s Bescot Stadium train station while speaking on the phone with her best friend.
Without warning, Majek attacked her with a screwdriver in what prosecutors described as a frenzied assault.
Tragically, her friend on the phone described hearing three terrifying screams before the call abruptly ended.
Rhiannon was found gravely injured and fought for her life in the hospital for three days.
Sadly, she succumbed to her injuries on October 23.
A Mother Confronts Her Daughter’s Killer
At Coventry Crown Court, Rhiannon’s mother, Donna Whyte, delivered a heartfelt and powerful statement directly to Majek.
She described the immeasurable pain of losing her daughter, who was not only a child but her closest friend.
Addressing Majek in court, Donna said, “My head tells me I should hate you, but my love for Rhiannon overpowers that. You will be forgotten as an evil nightmare.”
She also referenced the chilling footage of Majek celebrating after the attack, telling him, “Let me see you dancing now.”
The Killer’s Bizarre Denials
Despite overwhelming evidence against him—including CCTV footage, DNA evidence, and eyewitness accounts—Majek repeatedly claimed his innocence.
He denied that it was him stalking Rhiannon to the station, even though he was clearly identified wearing the same clothing minutes before the attack.
His barrister confirmed that he continues to maintain this denial, showing no remorse for his actions.
During the trial, Majek’s claims about his age and background were also inconsistent.
Although he told authorities he was 18 at the time of the attack, age assessments confirmed he was over 21, likely 26 years old.
Family Speaks Out Against the Horror
Rhiannon’s sister, Alex, now raising Rhiannon’s young son, gave an emotional statement in court.
She condemned Majek’s lack of remorse and questioned why he targeted her sister.
She highlighted how the family endured a prolonged legal battle, forced to relive Rhiannon’s suffering through witness statements and court proceedings.
Alex said, “You brutalised Rhiannon and then celebrated as if nothing had happened.
You might as well have danced on her grave.”
Her words painted a clear picture of the family’s enduring grief and the senseless cruelty of the attack.
A Disturbing Pattern of Behavior
Evidence presented during the trial revealed Majek’s disturbing and callous behavior following the murder.
After leaving Rhiannon wounded on the station platform, he stopped at a local store to buy alcohol and returned to the hotel dancing and laughing.
This shocking display highlighted the chilling indifference he had toward the life he had just taken.
Hotel staff described Majek as a solitary individual, often keeping to himself.
Despite claiming limited English skills in court, he had previously conversed fluently with hotel staff, contradicting his testimony.
No Motive, Just Horror
Authorities were unable to determine a motive for Majek’s attack.
The only clue was footage showing him observing Rhiannon during her shift at the hotel.
The attack itself appeared unprovoked, random, and vicious, leaving a community in shock and a family heartbroken.
Background on Majek’s Journey
Majek fled Sudan in 2022, leaving behind a pregnant wife and family.
He traveled to Libya, then crossed the Mediterranean by small boat, claiming to have been rescued by Italian authorities.
He lived in Italy for four months and then in Germany before seeking asylum in the UK.
During the trial, his story repeatedly contradicted itself, including claims about being pursued by a soldier and his supposed language limitations.
A Life Taken, A Family Forever Changed
Rhiannon Whyte’s death has left an indelible mark on her family and the wider Walsall community.
She was remembered as kind, smart, and caring—a mother, daughter, sister, and friend whose future was brutally stolen.
Her family continues to grieve while seeking justice, haunted by the memory of the attack and the senselessness of her loss.
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