Man sentenced to life in prison after DNA evidence linked him to woman's murder
Natasha Morais was killed at her flat in Leicester
Last updated 16th Apr 2024
A man has been told he must serve a minimum of 34 years in jail for the brutal murder of a woman in Leicester.
At a trial at Leicester Crown Court last month, Shannon Grant, 27, denied killing Natasha Morais at a flat in Whetstone after police traced him to an address in Coventry.
DNA evidence was produced linking him to the scene and to items used in the 40 year old's killing.
He was sentenced at the same court today and given life imprisonment and must serve a minimum of 34 years before he is eligible for parole.
On the 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.
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.
After being refused entry by a man they did not recognise they called police. While on the phone, they described hearing what sounded like someone jumping from height around the back of the flat.
When officers arrived, they forced entry and found the 40-year-old unresponsive underneath an ottoman style bed. She showed signs of being physically assaulted and was pronounced dead shortly before 10pm that evening.
One of Natasha’s brothers arrived at the scene and on being told the description of the man upstairs, he said he sounded like Shannon Grant, who he knew from school. After obtaining a video of Grant to show his mum and brother, they confirmed it looked like the same man.
Within a few hours police then traced Grant to a flat in Coventry where he was arrested by armed officers on suspicion of murder. Following a search of the flat a sawn-off shotgun was located which Grant pleaded guilty to possession of prior to the murder trial. 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.
Also at the flat were three people who were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. Following an investigation into their actions and movements no further action was taken against them.
In the investigation that followed, detectives were able to place Grant at Loughland Close from 9pm on 21 June until shortly before 9pm the following day, although Grant denied this stating he was in Coventry.
In his evidence at court, he indicated that he did not kill Natasha and stated that five unknown men broke into her flat and killed her holding him at gunpoint while they did so.
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 Grant buying the same cable ties at a DIY store in Coventry.
Forensic examination of Natasha’s flat also found his fingerprints on the inside and outside of the upstairs window and window ledge when it is suggested Grant jumped out of the window to make his escape.
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 he will now face many years behind bars for the callous and horrendous crime he committed.”