Peckham man stabbed to death his Thornton Heath girlfriend and their unborn child – then went to driving lesson

A jealous ex-boyfriend, who slaughtered his 33-weeks pregnant girlfriend and their unborn child, went for a driving lesson afterwards as if nothing had happened.

Aaron McKenzie, 26, broke into the family home of Kelly Fauvrelle in Raymead Avenue, Thornton Heath before stabbing her 21 times as she slept in the ground-floor bedroom they had once shared.

Paramedics battled to save 26-year-old Kelly but she died at the scene in the early hours of Saturday, 29 June last year.

Her baby, Riley, was delivered by caesarean by paramedics and was taken to hospital before he too died four days later.

Following a trial at the Old Bailey which concluded today, Friday, 10 July, McKenzie, of Peckham Park Road, Peckham, was convicted of one count of murder and one count of manslaughter in relation to his unborn child, as well as one count of having an offensive weapon.

Kelly had ended her relationship with McKenzie more than four months before her death, and made clear that it was over. She had met someone else at Royal Mail where she worked.

In one of her last Facebook posts, Kelly had shared an ultrasound photo of her unborn child and captioned it: ‘Happy Valentine’s sweet pea… we can’t wait to meet you.’

On the day of the attack, McKenzie had been going through Kelly’s emails and spotted a confirmation email for an online order for some menswear clothing.

He drove on his motorbike from a friend’s home in Honor Oak to Thornton Heath before sneaking into the house and carrying out the fatal attack just after 3.15am.

Kelly was murdered in her ground floor bedroom at the family home as her family slept upstairs. Hearing Kelly’s screams, her sister had come downstairs to find Kelly dying, in her bedroom, where the cot was set up ready for the arrival of her baby.

Kelly’s family did not see the suspect come and go from the property and there was no sight of forced entry. However, police believe that entry was made via the property’s ground floor patio doors.

He escaped before Kelly’s family found her with catastrophic injuries. Over the next few days he gave police false accounts of his whereabouts and professed his innocence before finally admitting the attack to police officers in interview.

In the days immediately following the murder, McKenzie played the part of a victim, telling police he had nothing to do with the attack, and even visiting the ward where medical staff were fighting to save baby Riley’s life.

He joined Kelly’s family as they mourned her loss and police continued, for a time, to treat him as a witness.

As the investigation progressed McKenzie became a suspect and was arrested on 11 July 2019. He later admitted, via his solicitor, to being responsible for the deaths saying: “No one else was involved in this. There was no reason for it other than my faults”.

Claire Mays, from the CPS, said: “This was a vicious and cowardly attack on a heavily pregnant woman, which was borne out of jealousy. Aaron McKenzie murdered his ex-girlfriend and in turn also killed their child Riley.

“Just hours after carrying out the attack, McKenzie went for a driving lesson as if nothing had happened.

“The prosecution evidence included a confession McKenzie had made to police officers taking responsibility for the killings before he decided to change his story and blame his actions on his learning difficulties and depression.

“By choosing to take this tragic case to trial McKenzie took the family of his victim through the heartbreak and ordeal of listening to all of his lies and the damning evidence against someone who had once been a part of their family.

“Although nothing can bring back Kelly and Riley, I hope these convictions provide some comfort to the family. Our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time.”

Workmates in the Communication Workers Union, of which the 26-year-old was a member, tweeted through its head office after the killing: “The union is devastated to learn that one of our members, Kelly Mary Fauvrelle, was the pregnant victim killed in Croydon. Our thoughts and prayers are with Kelly’s family. So tragic. So hurtful. Enough is enough. We call for an immediate reversal on all police cuts. The government and Mayor must act.

“Rest in peace, Kelly.”

General secretary Dave Ward said in a statement before Riley’s death: “Kelly Mary Fauvrelle was a CWU member at Croydon Delivery Office.

“Kelly leaves behind a baby fighting for their life, a family devastated by the loss and colleagues who are in total shock.

“The union will do everything possible to help both Kelly’s family and our members during this period.

“Yet another loss of innocent life is utterly sickening. It is clear the environment across the UK, but in London particularly, has reached a level where it just cannot go on.

“The CWU calls for an immediate reversal of police cuts in London and across the UK as an absolute priority and we will link up with other organisations to pressure the Governement and Mayor to act now.

“The streets are not safe anymore and this is not the world we should hand over to our children and grandchildren. Enough is enough. Rest in peace, Kelly.”

Ms Fauvrelle’s brother paid tribute to her on Facebook.

Stephan Alexander Simpson, said: “Words can’t describe the pain we’re feeling. You couldn’t have been a better sister, and I thank you for always being there for me, helping whenever I needed it. A beautiful person whose life has been taken from her. “I’ll stay strong, you’ll always be in my thoughts, so please keep watching over us. I love you more than you can possibly imagine. Rest in peace Kelly.”

Her aunt Rosa Fauvrelle, from Crystal Palace , told Metro: “All Kelly wanted was to be a mum. When she found out she was pregnant I think that really lifted her spirits. She was a sweetheart – an absolute sweetheart. The most gentle loving person. I don’t know very much about the father of the baby. It’s a little boy.”

Aaleeah Knowles also paid tribute to Ms Fauvrelle on Facebook, saying: “Kelly – I’m devastated to hear what happened to you. You didn’t deserve this. You were amazingly intelligent and bright and I’m just devastated.”

Neighbours reported hearing “screaming” coming from the home in the early hours of Saturday morning.

One resident told the Mail Online: “Later on I saw a woman come out and just collapse on the street.”

Sentencing will take place at the Old Bailey on Friday, 17 July.

Pictured, top: Kelly celebrating her pregnancy.