The harrowing screams of a young boy learning about his mother's brutal murder will forever haunt his family, according to a devastating victim impact statement delivered in court.
Unimaginable Pain of Breaking the News
Alexandra Whyte, sister of victim Rhiannon Whyte, told the court that explaining the tragedy to her nephew was "unimaginably difficult and painful". She described the moment she informed the "beautiful young boy" about his mother's death, stating unequivocally: "It is no exaggeration to say that his screams will haunt me forever."
A Vicious and Frenzied Attack
Rhiannon Whyte, a 27-year-old mother of a five-year-old son, was killed in what authorities described as a vicious frenzy in October 2024. The attack occurred at Bescot Stadium railway station after Sudanese asylum seeker Deng Chol Majek, standing at 6ft 3in, stalked and cornered his victim.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Attwell of the British Transport Police noted that Rhiannon "never stood a chance" against her much taller assailant. The fatal assault lasted approximately 90 seconds on a deserted platform around 11:18pm, with CCTV capturing Majek disappearing from view during the attack.
Brutal Injuries and Lack of Remorse
The post-mortem examination revealed devastating injuries, including a fatal brain stem injury inflicted with a crosshead screwdriver. Shockingly, nineteen of the wounds sustained by Rhiannon were concentrated on her head.
In her powerful statement, Alexandra Whyte condemned Majek as "demonic and inhuman" for showing "no remorse" and taking "no responsibility for your cowardly actions". She expressed the family's ongoing confusion about the motive, stating: "We still don't know or understand why you stalked, hunted and preyed upon Rhiannon."
Chilling Behavior Before and After
The attack followed concerning behavior by Majek at the Park Inn hotel where Rhiannon worked. On October 20, 2024, he had stared "spookily" at three female staff members for prolonged periods, behavior captured on CCTV that led to him being reported to security.
Even more chilling was Majek's conduct immediately following the murder. After the attack, he walked to the Caldmore Green area of Walsall to purchase beer, with CCTV apparently showing him wiping blood from his trousers. He returned to the hotel at 12:13am, changed his bloodstained flip-flops for trainers, and was seen dancing with other residents in the car park - within sight of emergency vehicles responding to the station.
A Life Remembered
Alexandra remembered her sister as "smart, kind, funny, thoughtful, caring and hardworking". She described how Rhiannon "fought for her life under a brutal, savage and frenzied attack from someone we see as inhuman, more like an animal".
The attack's aftermath saw Rhiannon discovered by the driver and guard of a train that arrived approximately five minutes later. She was found injured in a shelter on the platform and succumbed to her injuries in hospital three days later.
A housing officer based at the hotel provided jurors with additional insight into Majek's behavior, noting he almost seemed sad before the stabbing but appeared "back to himself" after Rhiannon was taken to hospital.
Floral tributes later appeared at Bescot Stadium railway station, marking the spot where a young mother's life was brutally cut short and a family was left with memories that will, according to her sister, haunt them forever.
