Mother Confronts Killer of Daughter Rhiannon in Walsall After Life Sentence Is Given for Brutal Hotel Attack

Siobhan Whyte’s last words to her daughter Rhiannon were simple, yet heavy with love and determination: “I will always love you… and I promise you justice.”

Rhiannon, 27, mother to a six-year-old boy, was remembered by her mother as “smart, kind, funny, with the gentlest, purest heart.”

She worked in a hotel that provided housing for asylum-seekers—a role she performed with compassion—yet met a violent end at the hands of one of its residents.

On the night of October 20, 2024, after a night shift, Rhiannon was stabbed 23 times with a screwdriver while walking to the train station near the Park Inn Hotel in Walsall. The attack was captured on CCTV, leaving a family and community in shock.

The Court Case and Life Sentence

The perpetrator, Deng Chol Majek, a Sudanese national who had arrived in the UK just 11 weeks earlier, lied repeatedly throughout his trial: about his age, his asylum story, his English skills, and ultimately about committing the murder.

At Coventry Crown Court, Mr Justice Soole sentenced him to life in prison with a minimum term of 29 years, citing “overwhelming” evidence, including CCTV and DNA.

“You continue to deny you were the assailant,” the judge said, “and the court is left with no explanation for what possessed you to murder a member of hotel staff who had been serving and helping you and others.”

A Mother’s Grief and Anguish

In an exclusive interview, Siobhan spoke about her anguish and contempt for her daughter’s killer, refusing to even utter his name. “He is nothing to me,” she said.

“I try not to let the hatred consume me. I focus on being more like Rhiannon, who hated conflict and only wanted to help people.”

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The trauma of the event still haunts her daily. She recalls the terror of that night: phone calls with the police, hospital updates, and the heartbreaking realization that Rhiannon never regained consciousness before dying three days later.

The Night of the Attack

The CCTV footage shows Rhiannon leaving the Park Inn Hotel, speaking with her best friend Emma as she walks to the station. Majek followed her, attacking within seconds of her reaching the platform.

Her screams were heard in a phone call to Emma before the line went dead. Police were called immediately, but Rhiannon succumbed to her injuries despite being taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

Majek, in grotesque contrast, celebrated afterward—buying beer and dancing near the hotel while Rhiannon remained in a coma.

A Family Shattered

Siobhan’s grief is compounded by the impact on Rhiannon’s six-year-old son, who now lives with his aunt, Alex.

The family has struggled with how to explain the tragedy to him, balancing honesty with protection. “He wants to be a ‘brain doctor’ to help people like his mum,” Siobhan said, finding a glimmer of hope in his resilience.

Siobhan has also faced her own health struggles and trauma since Rhiannon’s death, unable to work for a period but hoping to return as a senior health care worker.

She reserves her anger for individuals entering the country without proper documentation, emphasizing the need for thorough vetting and safety.

Reflections on Justice

“Justice for Rhiannon,” Siobhan explains, is more than a life sentence for Majek. It’s knowing he will never harm another woman, and that the system acknowledges the crime.

Yet she laments political inaction, expressing frustration at the government and local MPs for what she sees as insufficient measures to prevent such tragedies.

Honoring Rhiannon’s Memory

The family has established the Rhiannon Whyte Foundation, which supports families who have lost daughters, sisters, wives, and mothers to murder.

Through the foundation, Rhiannon’s legacy lives on, helping others navigate grief while advocating for justice.

What’s next?

Siobhan focuses on healing while protecting her grandson and raising awareness about violence and migration safety.

The family aims to expand the foundation’s reach and continue sharing Rhiannon’s story, ensuring that her compassion and courage are remembered.

They also hope to influence policy around migrant vetting, seeking a balance between safety and fairness.