Shannon Grant has been found guilty of the murder of Natasha Morais
A Coventry killer was caught on CCTV buying cable ties before using them to strangle a woman to death in her own home. Shannon Grant, 27, murdered Natasha Morais, 40, in her flat before stealing her phone and bank card.
Posing as Natasha, he texted her mum asking for £2,000 claiming it was to pay a fine. Her family became suspicious and went to her flat in Loughland Close, Whetstone, near Leicester at 8.40pm on June 22 last year.
Grant appeared at the window and refused to open the door so the family called police. He then leapt from a window and when officers forced their way into the apartment, they found Natasha under an Ottoman-style bed. He was later found and arrested in Coventry.
Natasha showed signs of having been attacked but despite paramedics attempting to resuscitate her, she tragically died just before 10pm. One of Natasha's brothers, who had gone to school with Grant, was able to identify him from his description and police launched a manhunt.
CCTV caught Grant dumping his jacket and a bag by the side of Natasha's flat before he fled. Footage also shows him on the phone while holding Natasha's bank card. Within a few hours police traced Grant to a flat in Coventry where he was arrested by armed officers on suspicion of murder.
A post-mortem examination concluded Natasha died of as a result of ligature strangulation. Following a search of the flat a sawn-off shotgun was located which Grant pleaded guilty to possession of prior to the murder trial.
Officers also found items of Natasha’s clothes and personal items dumped in a wheelie bin. Also in the bin were Grant’s clothes which he had been wearing when he murdered Natasha. Grant was charged with murder and yesterday (Tue) he was found guilty after a trial at Leicester Crown Court.
Three other people who were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender had no further action taken against them. In his evidence at court, he indicated that he did not kill Natasha and stated that five unknown men broke into her flat and killed her while holding him at gunpoint.
A cable tie which was recovered from her body was found to have Grant’s DNA on it. CCTV from the day before Natasha’s death also showed Grant buying the same cable ties at a DIY store in Coventry.
Forensic examination of Natasha’s flat found his fingerprints on the inside and outside of the upstairs window and window ledge when he jumped out of the window. Detective Inspector David Greenhalgh, from East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU), was the Senior Investigating Officer.
He said: “Natasha was tragically subjected to a violent assault which sadly led to her death. She was a much-loved daughter, sister, aunt and friend who will be forever missed by those who knew her.
“Grant’s refusal to acknowledge his involvement has provided little explanation as to the motive for her murder so we can only infer given the urgent request to her family for a significant amount of money, that there was some type of financial element behind it.
“I am pleased that the jury saw through Grant’s lies and that we will now face many years behind bars for the callous and horrendous crime he committed.”
Grant was remanded into custody and will return to court for sentencing on March 21.
See also: Thugs jailed for ambushing Coventry bouncer have jail sentences slashed
