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man from south London has been found guilty of murdering his partner in a “frenzied” attack after she attempted to end their relationship.
David Xavier, 38, stabbed 30-year-old Andreia Patricia Rodriguez Guilherme more than 50 times with a kitchen knife at their home in Canning Road, Croydon.
In text messages sent shortly before her death, the victim told relatives Xavier had “picked up a knife”, while an audio recording captured the moments before her murder as she begged him to leave their home.
Police were called to the couple’s home following the horrific attack on December 11, 2020.
Ms Rodriguez Guilherme was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem found she had died as a result of “multiple stab wounds”.
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Xavier was also found with stab injuries. He was taken to hospital, and was arrested on suspicion of murder.
He was discharged from hospital nearly two months after the incident, on February 9, 2021, and was charged with murder the following day.
A trial at the Old Bailey in central London heard how Xavier and Ms Rodriguez Guilherme – both originally from the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira – met in the UK and began a relationship.
But by July 2020 their relationship was deteriorating, and in December that year Ms Rodriguez Guilherme was taking steps towards ending it.
But Xavier became increasingly jealous and angry – even trying to stop her from seeing her family.
On the night of Friday, December 11, 202, Ms Rodriguez Guilherme a relative recordings of an argument she was having with Xavier.
The recordings, which were later recovered from her mobile phone, captured a heated argument in which the pair traded insults.
Later that same evening, Ms Rodriguez Guilherme texted a relative saying: “He picked up a knife”.
A text to another female relative said: “David is crazy – pointed a knife at me”.
Her last communication was a recording of events which appeared to have happened immediately before she was murdered.
In the clip, Ms Rodriguez Guilherme could be heard crying and asking Xavier to leave the flat.
Shortly after the recording was made, Xavier stabbed Andreia more than 50 times with a kitchen knife.
Around two minutes after the stabbing, Xavier called a member of his family telling them Ms Rodriguez Guilherme was dead.
They rushed to the address and found Xavier still holding the knife and Ms Rodriguez Guilherme on the floor of the bedroom, covered in blood.
An ambulance was called immediately and medics fought to save Ms Rodriguez Guilherme, but she died at the scene.
The knife Xavier used in the attack was later found at the property.
On Tuesday, a jury at the Central Criminal Court found Xavier guilty of the murder of Ms Rodriguez Guilherme.
He was remanded in custody, to appear at the same court for sentencing on Friday.
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Webb, who led the investigation, said: “This was a horrific, frenzied attack against a woman who didn’t stand a chance. Xavier was armed with a knife and clearly enraged.
“Andreia’s family has lived through the horror of receiving those final messages on the night of her death, and, due to Xavier pleading not guilty, they were forced to relive that night again at the trial.
“It is right that he is convicted of murder, no set of circumstances could justify what he did.
“Nothing can bring Andreia back, but I hope that Xavier’s conviction brings her family some comfort.”
Free and confidential support is available from charity Refuge’s 24-hour national domestic abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247, with digital support via livechat Monday-Friday 3pm-10pm via www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/croydon-man-guilty-murdering-partner-old-bailey-court-south-london-crime-b1098304.html
