CCTV shows killer buying cable ties hours before he strangled woman to death
Chilling CCTV shows a killer buying cable ties, just hours before he used them to strangle a woman to death in her own home.
Shannon Grant murdered Natasha Morais, 40, in her flat before stealing her phone and bank card, and making off on June 22 last year. The 27-year-old also, posing as Natasha, texted her mum, asking for £2,000 claiming it was to pay a fine.
However, Natasha’s family grew suspicious and went to her flat in Whetstone, Leicestershire, at 8.40pm. When the family got there, Grant appeared at a window and refused to let them in - so they quickly called the police. But he killer leapt from a window to try and flee and when officers forced their way in, they found Natasha under an Ottoman-style bed.
She showed signs of having been attacked but despite paramedics desperate attempts to resuscitate her, she died just before 10pm. Grant was identified by one of Natasha’s brothers, who had gone to school with him, from his description and police promptly launched a manhunt.
Further CCTV also caught Grant dumping his jacket and a bag by the side of Natasha's flat before he ran. Footage then showed 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.
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A post-mortem examination concluded Natasha died 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 some of Natasha's clothes and personal items dumped in a wheelie bin. Grant had also dumped the clothes he had been wearing during the murder in the same bin.
Grant was charged with murder and today 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.
Grant buying cable ties at a DIY store in Coventry - he would use them to murder Natasha (Leicestershire Police / SWNS)In his evidence at court, he claimed that he did not kill Natasha and instead that five unknown men had broken 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.
Grant has been found guilty and will be sentenced next month (Leicestershire Police / SWNS)
Natasha's family rushed to her house not long after she was killed by Grant (Leicestershire Police / SWNS)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.
The last footage of Natasha Morais and Shannon Grant together (Leicestershire Police / SWNS)"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.
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