A British woman who had just learned she was pregnant is dead, and her ex-partner has been charged with the crime.
Alana Odysseos, 32, died after suffering stab wounds at her home in east London. Shaine March, 45, was charged in her death; according to The Daily Mail, the two had previously been in a relationship. Odysseos was also the mother to two girls, ages 12 and two.
Odysseos’ sister, Jasmine Yates, described her shock at her sister’s death, noting the family was experiencing “a living nightmare.” She also told news outlets that Odysseos had recently discovered she was pregnant with her third child.
“She found out a couple of days ago. She was about four weeks – that’s what she believed,” she told the Standard on Tuesday. “The day it happened, we were talking earlier that morning and she was so excited, talking about baby names and she was so excited to be a mum again.”
Yates also said that Odysseos loved being a mother. “She was such a brilliant mother,” she said. “She doted on her little girls, and completely changed her life for them.”
Scotland Yard announced that March has been charged with murder.
READ: Pregnant woman murdered after repeatedly asking police for help
“Shaine March will appear in custody at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 23 July charged with the murder of 32-year-old Alana Odysseos,” said a spokesperson. “March was arrested after police were called to an address in Lynmouth Road, E17 at around 03.00hrs on Monday, 22 July following reports of a woman injured. Alana was found suffering stab wounds and died at the scene. March and Alana were known to each other.”
Homicide against pregnant women is shockingly common, with studies confirming that pregnant women are more likely to die by murder than by any of the three leading obstetric causes of maternal death (high blood pressure disorders, hemorrhage, and sepsis).
Yates said as she works to preserve her sister’s memory, she will advocate for the government to take more action in the issue of rising violence against women. “I really want to keep her memory alive,” she said. “I really, really want the government to take action and try to tackle this violence against women.”
