A man has been deemed responsible for the fatal stabbing of a grandmother after he ordered the weapon online.
Jalal Debella, 25, from Colindale, Barnet, had been residing in a rehabilitation facility for individuals with mental health challenges when he attacked Anita Mukhey, inflicting up to 18 stab wounds at a bus stop in Edgware on May 9, 2024.
Debella exhibited an interest in violence, frequently searching the internet for violent content both prior to and following the incident, including videos and articles related to stabbings.
He was apprehended within hours of Ms. Mukhey’s death, with investigators compiling a robust case utilizing CCTV footage, DNA evidence, and his online activity.
Trial and Sentencing
At the Old Bailey on January 22, a jury found Debella accountable for the death of 66-year-old Ms. Mukhey and for possessing the knife used in the attack. This verdict came after a four-day ‚trial of fact‘ as a judge had determined that he was unfit to stand trial.
On January 23, Debella was issued an indefinite hospital order and may face a retrial in the future if medical professionals assess him as fit to stand trial.
Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila, who oversaw the investigation, stated, „While necessary to protect the public, today’s outcome offers little comfort to Anita’s family, who are left without a much-loved wife, mother, and grandmother. I want to recognize the dignity and courage they have shown over the past 20 months. I also want to thank the members of the public who tried to help Anita that day, the witnesses who came forward, and the first responders. Your actions, your compassion, and your evidence truly mattered.“
Family Statement
Ms. Mukhey’s family released a statement expressing their gratitude for the conclusion of the proceedings and thanking the Metropolitan Police and the Crown Prosecution Service for their efforts throughout the case.
- They highlighted the troubling facts that emerged during the trial, noting that Debella, despite being known to mental health services, had been assessed as stable and safe for the community.
- They pointed out his escalating behavior, including acquiring weapons and researching extreme violence, which ultimately culminated in the attack. This raised concerns similar to those seen in the arrest made in Gillingham crash that claimed life of pedestrian.
- The family raised concerns about the adequacy of current risk assessment models in identifying potential dangers beyond verbal assessments.
- They also questioned the legality and safety of Debella’s ability to order weapons online while living in a supervised mental health facility.
„We recognize that these questions fall outside the scope of today’s proceedings. We want to be clear that our family stands ready to assist the coroner in any future inquest, in the interests of learning lessons and strengthening public protection,“ the family stated.
Ms. Mukhey was attacked while waiting at a bus stop around 11:45 a.m. on May 9, 2024. The knife used in the stabbing was delivered that morning to the mental health facility where Debella resided.
Investigators found that he had checked the Royal Mail tracking website four times before the knife was delivered shortly before 10:45 a.m. Debella left the care home at 11:20 a.m. and was seen on CCTV at 11:40 a.m. walking past the bus stop where Ms. Mukhey, who was unknown to him, was waiting, before returning two minutes later.
Eyewitnesses reported an altercation at the bus stop before Debella attacked Ms. Mukhey, who died at the scene despite paramedics‘ attempts to save her. He fled back to his care home, discarding the knife in a bin outside.
Debella was arrested at the residential facility at 4:46 p.m. after officers recognized him from CCTV footage. DNA evidence from the knife and his clothing further linked him to the crime.
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