The father of a talented chef who was stabbed to death by his sister’s jealous ex-boyfriend today spoke of his devastation at being deceived by his son’s murderer.
City financier Andrew Morris, 30, was jailed for life on Friday after killing Henry Stangroom, 21, in October following heavy drug abuse and six weeks after his victim’s sister, Michelle, ended her relationship with him.
Ms Stangroom, 28, had moved out of the flat the three of them shared in Lavender Sweep, Battersea, south-west London, after Morris turned violent during an argument.
Her younger brother, who worked as a chef at the up-market Criterion restaurant in Piccadilly Circus, was also due to move the morning Morris stabbed him repeatedly in the chest and fired a harpoon spear at his head.
Morris, who did not explain his motive in court, was ordered to serve a minimum of 23 years in prison at the Old Bailey.
Mr Stangroom’s father, Jerry, speaking from the family home in Odiham, Hampshire, told how his family had welcomed Morris into their lives and had even taken him on holiday just three months before he murdered their son.
He said: “For Henry to be murdered in his own room by someone who he trusted and looked up to like an older brother is devastating. We accepted this man into our home and he slept under our roof many times. In July of last year he came on holiday with us.
“It is a heavy burden that I bear. Whilst I was worried about the defendant’s welfare, he was planning taking my son’s life. If only we knew what a man he was.”
The court heard that Morris had a history of violent and aggressive behaviour towards ex-girlfriends and had punched one former partner in the stomach and spat in her face.
In the run-up to the murder he was employed as a highly paid financier in the city but had been on sick leave for five months. He was abusing large amounts of cocaine and alcohol and his employers had begun disciplinary action against him.
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During the course of the investigation officers looked at Morris’ internet search history and found he had searched ‘murder and mental illness sentencing’ and ‘spear gun death accident’.
Mr Stangroom added: “We had so many plans. Michelle and Henry were just starting to look for a house together.
“When Henry was more experienced we all dreamed that we would buy a restaurant in the sun. Henry would be chef and Michelle would be front of house. We have nothing to look forward to without Henry.
“There are no words to describe the utter heartbreak and despair I feel in what has happened. I could not have wished for a more perfect son. He brought more joy and happiness than you can possibly imagine."
