A woman who followed her partner through the streets of southwest London after an argument and fatally stabbed him has been found guilty of murder.
Blaze Wallace, 28 (11.04.95) of Mullins Path, SW14 was found guilty of the murder of 34-year-old Samuel Mayo following the conclusion of a trial at Kingston Crown Court on Thursday, 22 June.
Wallace will be sentenced at the same court on 4 August.
The jury heard how Wallace and Mayo were in a volatile drug fuelled relationship and lived together in a flat in Mullins Path. On Monday, 18 July at around 18:00hrs, the pair were seen arguing close to Mortlake train station.
They returned to their flat where the arguing continued; this culminated in Samuel packing a bag and leaving the address at around 21:30hrs.
Wallace picked up a kitchen knife from the house and began to follow him through the streets – CCTV picked up their journey with Samuel walking, unaware that Wallace was following his route minutes behind.
As Samuel walked along Lower Mortlake Road, Wallace caught up with him at around 21:45hrs. Within seconds a further argument appears to have taken place and she stabbed Samuel once, fatally injuring him and leaving him collapsed in the street. Wallace calmly walked off towards her address while passers-by, who had been alerted by Samuel’s cries for help, rushed to assist him.
Police and London Ambulance Service attended but despite their efforts, Samuel was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officers attended Wallace’s address to inform her of the death and found her acting erratically. She was arrested on suspicion of his murder and detectives began to piece together the events of that night.
CCTV showed Wallace following Samuel – she was wearing a long cardigan despite it being one of the hottest evenings of the year. As she walked, she concealed the knife in her right pocket.
Officers found the cardigan when searching the address in Mullins Path and forensic analysis revealed Samuel’s blood on the sleeve. They also found several kitchen knives, with only one having been recently cleaned. The forensic pathologist who examined the knife confirmed it was consistent with the type used to stab Samuel.
Wallace was subsequently charged with Samuel’s murder.
Detective Inspector Nicola Collins from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command said: “Blaze Wallace set out that evening armed with a knife and clearly with the intention of causing Samuel Mayo serious injury. Shortly after she caught up with Samuel she stabbed and killed him before turning and walking away.
“This is a tragic incident that has left Samuel’s family devastated. Wallace has been convicted of his murder, but that will offer little comfort to them as they continue to deal with the loss of their loved one.”
