Keshia Donaghy, 32, was brutally murdered at her home as her death is explored in chilling new documentary
The family of a woman who was murdered in her own home have said their lives “will never be the same” as her death is explored in new BBC documentary Murder Case: Who Killed Kiesha?
Lucretia Donaghy, affectionately known as Keshia, lost her life after being savagely attacked by 43-year-old Owen Grant at her Moray residence on November 16, 2023. The brute unleashed a horrific assault on the 32-year-old mother-of-two, fatally striking her with an unidentified weapon.
Keshia was discovered face down in her bedroom after a concerned neighbour alerted authorities upon hearing her desperate cries of: “No, no, no.” Grant was handed a life sentence after a jury found him guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh on Thursday.
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The judge decreed that he must serve a minimum of 24 years behind bars before he can apply for parole, citing the “exceptionally brutal nature of the murder” and Grant’s extensive history of violent offences, reports the Daily Record.
Following the sentencing, Keshia’s heartbroken mother, Amanda Gow, shared how the loss of her only daughter has irrevocably changed her life.
She expressed: “Life without Keshia will never be the same. She was my only daughter and my first born. Her two daughters will have to live their lives without their mum.
“I still cannot get my head around the fact that she is gone and that her life was taken in such a brutal way.
“I would like everyone, including the press, to respect my family’s privacy at this time. I would also like to thank Police Scotland and all those who provided support to us.”
The court was told that a passport in Grant’s name was found at the scene, and his handprint was discovered in the victim’s blood on a bedroom wall.
It was also revealed that after the murder, Grant went on a spending spree, squandering hundreds of pounds on cocaine.
Grant, a former labourer with a history of violent offences, was previously sentenced to eight years’ detention in 2003 for arson endangering life at Warrington Crown Court.
Lord Scott addressed Grant, stating that he had murdered “an unarmed and defenceless” woman.
The judge declared: “The attack was exceptionally savage, frenzied and, as your own senior counsel said, brutal. The reasons for this brutal murder remain unknown, but appear almost certainly to have been related to money.”
Detective Superintendent Lorna Ferguson commented: “My thoughts remain with Keshia’s family and friends as they continue to try to come to terms with what happened. I hope the verdict will bring them some form of justice.
“This was a complex inquiry and I would like to thank the local community for their patience and assistance throughout our investigation.
“Grant now faces the consequences of his actions. Violence such as this is never acceptable in our communities and we will work tirelessly to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”
Murder Case: Who Killed Kiesha? airs on BBC2 on Sunday at 9pm.
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