A man has been jailed for life for the murder of a Birmingham woman today (23 August) at Birmingham Crown Court.
Halefom Weldeyohannes, aged 26, pleaded guilty yesterday to killing 19-year-old Yordanos Brhane at her home in Unett Street, Birmingham on 31 July last year.
Weldeyohannes had travelled from his home in Exeter Drive, Sheffield the previous day to meet Yordanos, whom he had known for many years having both grown up in the same village in Eritrea.
But in the early hours of Saturday (31 July) police were called to a disturbance at the multi-occupancy address, where Yordanos was found with stab wounds to her face and neck. Sadly she could not be saved and died from strangulation and stab injuries.
A man was seen fleeing the building and, following a nationwide manhunt, detectives traced Weldeyohannes to an address in Stoke-on-Trent where he was visiting a friend after returning to his home in Sheffield to change his clothes. It’s believed he was trying to fund his escape from the country.
Detective Inspector Jim Mahon, from our homicide unit, explained: “We still don’t know why Weldeyohannes attacked Yordanos. We understand from our investigations that he wanted a romantic relationship with her, but she viewed their relationship as platonic.
“This is incredibly tragic for Yordanos’ family. She had left her country and come to the UK where she found work and felt safe. However, her life was cut short by a jealous, controlling and violent man who would not accept that she did not want to be in a relationship with him.
“Only Weldeyohannes knows exactly what happened that morning and is now facing many years behind bars. “Yordanos’ family are still grieving her loss and our thoughts remain with them.” They said: “Yordanos was very kind, she respected people. Yordanos loved helping people, and those in difficult situations. Nothing was too much trouble for her.
“Yordanos wanted to be a doctor, or a teacher in the future, or somewhere where she could work with children.
“She left Eritrea for a better life in the UK, but instead she was murdered in her own home. “I feel that him (Weldeyohannes) pleading guilty, admitting what he did saves us from hearing in detail the awful things that he did to my sister, and how she sufferred but it hasn’t, and won’t ever take the pain away. We all live with that for the rest of our lives.”
Weldeyohannes was sentenced to a minimum term of 21 years before he is eligible to apply for parole.
