A 32-year-old pregnant woman, Alana Odysseos, was brutally stabbed to death by her violent boyfriend, Shaine March, a convicted killer who had already served a life sentence for murder. The tragic incident happened in Walthamstow, East London, in the early hours of July 22, 2024. Alana, who was expecting her third child, was stabbed 19 times in a shocking act of violence that has left her family heartbroken.
March, aged 47, had initially admitted manslaughter by diminished responsibility but later changed his plea to murder during his trial at the Old Bailey. The court heard that March had a long history of violence. At just 21, he was convicted of killing 17-year-old Andre Drummond in 2000 after stabbing him in a McDonald’s restaurant. Despite being sentenced to life, he was released on licence in 2013 but was recalled for assaulting another partner before being freed again in 2018.
According to the prosecution, Alana’s relationship with March was marked by control, jealousy, and abuse. He accused her of cheating, made her delete male contacts from her phone, and even sent threatening messages about her pregnancy. Alana’s family revealed she was aware of his past but believed she could help him change. Sadly, her hopes ended in tragedy when March attacked her in a jealous rage, leaving her fatally wounded.
Witnesses said Alana screamed, “Shaine stabbed me!” before collapsing. March fled the scene, sending a chilling voice note to his mother admitting to the killing. He later entered a café covered in blood and confessed, “I killed my wife and child.” When arrested, he laughed and told police, “Put me where I belong. I’m scum.” Even in custody, he continued to display aggression by assaulting another detainee.
March remains in custody and will be sentenced on October 31. Prosecutors are pushing for a whole life order, meaning he will never be released. Alana’s family, who sat through the entire trial, described her as a “pure-hearted person” and a “brilliant mother” who only wanted love and peace. They thanked police and prosecutors for ensuring justice was served for Alana and her unborn child.
