Coventry man convicted of brutal murder of woman in Leicestershire
Natasha Morais was discovered her home in Whetstone in June last year
A man from Coventry has been convicted of the brutal murder of a woman in Leicestershire, who was found strangled and hidden under a bed.
40 year old Natasha Morais was discovered her home in Whetstone in June last year.
On the evening of 22 June last year, Natasha’s phone was used to send a message to her mum asking for £2,000 which she claimed was to pay a fine.
Concerned as to why she needed so much money, the family tried calling her but there was no answer and therefore worried, Natasha’s mum and brother arrived at her flat in Loughland Close at around 8.40pm.
They knocked the communal front door and a man, they did not know, appeared from window of Natasha’s first floor flat and refused to allow them access. With their concern for Natasha increasing they called police.
When officers arrived, they forced entry to Natasha’s flat and found the 40-year-old unresponsive underneath an ottoman style bed.
Showing signs of being physically assaulted, police officers and paramedics commenced CPR but Natasha was pronounced dead shortly before 10pm that evening.
Within a few hours police Shannon traced Grant to a flat in Coventry where he was arrested by armed officers on suspicion of murder. Found within a wheelie bin outside the same flat were personal items belonging to Natasha and clothing that Grant has been wearing at the time of Natasha’s death.
A post-mortem examination concluded Natasha died of as a result of ligature strangulation. A cable tie which was recovered from her body was found to have Grant’s DNA on it. CCTV from the day before Natasha’s death also showed him buying the same cable ties at a DIY store in Coventry.
Detective Inspector David Greenhalgh, from East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU), was the Senior Investigating Officer.
He said: “Natasha was tragically subjected to a violent assault which sadly led to her death. She was a much-loved daughter, sister, aunt and friend who will be forever missed by those who knew her.
“Grant’s refusal to acknowledge his involvement has provided little explanation as to the motive for her murder so we can only infer given the urgent request to her family for a significant amount of money, that there was some type of financial element behind it.
DI Greenhalgh added: “The team has worked diligently in bringing this case to court and I would like to make special mention of our forensic service colleagues whose expertise in gathering vital forensic evidence has been critical.
“I am pleased that the jury saw through Grant’s lies and that we will now face many years behind bars for the callous and horrendous crime he committed.”
27 year old Shannon Grant will be sentenced next month.