Airport worker who ‘love bugged’ home to listen to flatmate have sex before knifing her to death is guilty of murder
A HEATHROW worker has been convicted of murdering his flatmate after listening to her having sex on a “love bug” he planted in their home.
Sheldon Rodrigues became increasingly obsessed with Stephanie Hansen, 39, when she met boyfriend Celcso Cabillan.
He stabbed her to death in her bedroom at their flat in Hayes. West London, before trying to blame Celsco for the savage killing.
Rodrigues has now been convicted of murder following a trial at the Old Bailey.
The court heard the trio all worked as cargo agents for Swissport at Heathrow airport.
Stephanie and Rodrigues had a sexual relationship several years before but she wanted no further romantic engagement with him.
She instead began seeing their colleague Celsco, who was married with children – causing Rodrigues to become consumed by jealousy.
The 30-year-old began planting bugs around his and Stephanie’s home in Hayes, West London, to spy on her.
He spent 158 hours in total listening to his flatmate while he was at work or visiting family in Goa – averaging around three hours a day.
Chillingly, he sent Stephanie a message threatening to “hunt you down and destroy you” – but pretended it was from Celsco’s wife.
He also put a chilling image of the Joker on his Facebook page with the caption: “We stop looking for monsters under our bed when we realise they’re inside us.”
When he returned, he “exploded with rage” and “brutally attacked” her while she was still in her pyjamas.
She was knifed multiple times in the neck and battered repeatedly over the head – leaving blood splattered across her bedroom.
Rodrigues then rang 999 and told the operator he had found her body, saying “I think her boyfriend has done something to her”.
After he was arrested, police found messages showing his “long-standing obsession” with Stephanie, it was said.
He had text his colleague telling her “I want u”, and also wrote: “It hurts to see you every day knowing you’ll never like me.”
The killer also told Stephanie he would wait “50 years” for her, the court heard.
How you can get help
Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
During his evidence, Rodrigues was asked about a number of “flattering” photos of Stephanie that were found in his bedroom.
He also offered to change his lifestyle and get plastic surgery if it would make him more “attractive” to Stephanie.
And he messaged her asking if her boyfriend had a “bigger one” than him.
But Rodrigues denied being controlling and instead claimed he was concerned for his flatmate’s wellbeing.
He was remanded into custody to be sentenced on March 8.