Family of murder victim pay tribute to him

Jorge Javier Martin Carreno was killed by Scarlet Blake in Oxford in 2021.

Jorge Martin Carreno and Scarlet Blake
Author: Andrea FoxPublished 27th Feb 2024
Last updated 27th Feb 2024

A cat-killer obsessed with violence and death is facing life imprisonment after being convicted of murder in Oxford.

Scarlet Blake, 26, singled out Jorge Martin Carreno, 30, as he walked home from a night out in Oxford in July 2021, before brutally attacking him. She had previously admitted to the livestreaming of the killing of a cat.

Jorge's brother Gerardo Martin Carreno says

"We are here for Jorge to make sure no other person or family has to go through the pain of loosing a brother, a son. We were triplets born together; we are best friends."

He added. "With his caring and friendly nature, he was always spreading joy with his great sense of humour. Always ready to help, Jorge was above all an incredibly good person. His education and passion were evident in everything he undertook. We miss Jorge every day thinking what life would have been like if he hadn’t met Scarlett that night.

Today his absence leaves a deep whole in our heart, his life cut short by Scarlett. Sleepless nights seeking answers for who was responsible. We hope that the justice served today will reflect the gravity of our loss. Scarlett Blake has shown no remorse for her actions making it even more difficult to process. It was chilling to hear her in this court, her lack of empathy is evident.

Jorge's mother also paid tribute to him in court.

"He was an exceptional being, friendly and affectionate. He dreamed of a future where he would make a difference, aspiring to make a better world. He radiated kindness and humour among all those luckily enough to know him."

"His friends adore him, he was always spreading joy. Always ready to help and listen to others he was above all an incredible person. This loss feels like a traumatic devastating blow with a void impossible to fill. Today his absence leaves a deep wound in our hearts, his life was stolen.

This is a call to justice; we ask not only for justice for him but also protection for other families. May this inexplicable loss, allow us to fight for a world where justice prevails. Thank you for being part of this family we feel fortunate to have had you in our lives."

At sentencing today at Oxford Crown Court the prosecution say Blake was aware of the death of Mr Carreno and evaded arrest for over two years, taking pictures of the crime scene and boasting about the killing to others. They say she has shown no remorse and has shown a clear intention kill and cause harm to others including the cat.

The defence say her actions were not to gain sexual pleasure but to be accepted by others such as girlfriend Ashlynn Bell.

Blake had claimed the killing of the cat and boastful messages about the murder were to impress her.

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