Mother Jailed for Life After Drowning Her Two Sons in East London
A chilling murder case has rocked East London. Kara Alexander, 47, from Dagenham, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years and 252 days for drowning her two young sons in the family bath.
Harrowing Discovery in Dagenham Home
Five-year-old Marley Thomas and two-year-old Elijah Thomas were found lifeless on 16 December 2022 by their father. After failing to reach the children, he visited their Cornwallis Road home only to be told they were “upstairs sleeping” by Alexander. Instead, he discovered the boys dressed in pyjamas, lying side-by-side in their bunk bed.
“Stuff of Nightmares” – Judge Condemns Mother’s Actions
At Kingston Crown Court, Mr Justice Bennathan blasted Alexander’s crime as a “shocking abuse of trust.” The judge revealed she had smoked strong cannabis, known as skunk, every night for weeks, pushing her into a psychotic state during the murders.
“You drowned them both by your deliberate acts,” the judge said, explaining how she placed the boys in the bath before holding them under water for up to two minutes.
Afterwards, Alexander dressed the boys in fresh pyjamas and laid them together under a duvet. When the father found them and called for help, she fled into a nearby street. Paramedics confirmed the children had been dead for hours.
No History of Violence, But Heavy Drug Use Ignored
Despite no past violence — with her ex-partner saying she “never shouted” or harmed the boys — Alexander had suffered a cannabis-induced psychotic episode in 2016. Friends knew of her continued drug use while caring for the children but failed to intervene.
“At least one of them knew of your previous psychotic episode in 2016, yet neither of them warned you of any risk or sounded any note of caution at all,” the judge added.
A Lifetime Behind Bars for a Lifetime of Grief
The killings were deliberate though not planned, Mr Justice Bennathan ruled. He acknowledged Alexander will grieve “for the rest of her life” but stressed her actions’ gravity.
Kara Alexander must serve a minimum of 21 years and 252 days before parole consideration.
If you or someone you know struggles with mental health or substance abuse, support is available. Contact Samaritans anytime on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org.
