Key Points
- Kennedi Westcarr-Sabaroche, 25, was found dead in a car in Hackney on 6 April 2024.
- Gogoa Lois Tape, 28, her boyfriend, was sentenced for manslaughter due to diminished responsibility.
- Cause of death was manual compression to the neck; she also suffered blunt force injuries.
- Tape drove her body around in the car, purchased cigarettes, and impersonated her via text messages.
- Tape confessed to his brother about the killing approximately six and a half hours later.
- Tape was diagnosed with schizophrenia with paranoid and persecutory delusions.
- Victim impact statements highlighted the devastating impact on Kennedi’s family, including her young daughter.
- Judge sentenced Tape to a hospital order with restrictions under mental health laws.
- Family described Kennedi as a bright young woman whose loss shattered the family.
What happened in the case of Kennedi Westcarr-Sabaroche’s death in Hackney?
As reported by Ellie Ng of The Independent, Kennedi Westcarr-Sabaroche, aged 25, was found dead inside a Vauxhall car on Whiston Road, Hackney, on the morning of 6 April 2024. Her death was caused by manual compression to the neck alongside blunt force injuries consistent with being punched multiple times. Her hands bore wounds consistent with defending herself from a knife attack. Her boyfriend, Gogoa Lois Tape, age 28, was arrested after the incident. Tape admitted to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility and possession of a bladed article in a public place.
How did Gogoa Lois Tape behave after the killing?
According to the prosecution led by Julia Faure-Walker, Tape moved Kennedi from the driver’s seat to the passenger seat, buckled her seatbelt, and drove around for approximately two hours so neighbours would not see. He used her phone to send a message pretending to be her to one of her friends. Around six and a half hours after the killing, he confessed to his brother saying, “I killed Kennedi, bro.” Tape was found to have been panicking and spoke rapidly when waking his brother at 6am.
What was Gogoa Lois Tape’s mental health status at the time?
Court psychiatrists testified that Tape was an undiagnosed schizophrenic at the time of the killing. He experienced paranoid and persecutory delusions which severely impaired his judgment and self-control. Tape admitted to losing his head and struggling with his mental health for the last two to three years. He had a history of cannabis use dating back to 2014 and had contact with mental health services in 2023, including treatment in an emergency department for dark and harmful thoughts. The judge referenced his mental illness in delivering the sentence.
What did the court hear about the relationship and events leading up to the killing?
The couple met as teenagers at college about a decade ago. It became apparent in 2023 that Tape’s mental health was deteriorating, marked by paranoia and jealousy. The court heard that in March 2024, Tape accused Kennedi of infidelity and made threatening remarks which she shared with her cousin. On the night of 5 April 2024, the fatal incident occurred at Talavera Place, Hackney, after which Tape drove around with her body inside the vehicle.
What were the victim impact statements and family reactions?
Kennedi’s mother Linda Westcarr tearfully told the court, “My daughter Kennedi was brutally taken from us by someone she trusted, someone we welcomed into our home and trusted like family.” She described the enduring pain for Kennedi’s young daughter who still asks for her mother. Linda described the loss not just of a life but of a fractured family. Kennedi’s sister Danielle Westcarr-Jourdan described the loss as “catastrophic,” saying her sister illuminated any room she entered and her absence “haunts us”.
What sentence was handed down to Gogoa Lois Tape?
Judge Freya Newbery sentenced Tape under a hospital order pursuant to Section 37 of the Mental Health Act, accompanied by a restriction order under Section 41, effectively detaining him indefinitely in a secure hospital setting. The judge noted Tape’s severe mental illness and its role in impairing his control, while recognising the devastating consequences of his actions on Kennedi’s family.
Why is this case significant for the community and legal perspective?
This case underscores the tragic outcomes that can result from untreated severe mental illness combined with substance misuse and domestic relationships. The sentencing highlights the balance the justice system seeks between punishment and appropriate medical treatment where mental health factors critically impair responsibility. It also sheds light on the profound and lasting impact on families torn apart by such violence.
