Killer who murdered girlfriend, 39, then left her naked, bound and ‘still warm’ body under bed is jailed for life
A KILLER who strangled his girlfriend then left her naked, bound and “still warm” body under a bed has been jailed for life.
Natasha Morais, 39, had only just got together with Shannon Grant, 27, after her previous boyfriend died in a car crash when she was brutally murdered.
She was discovered naked and face down in the base of a bed with cable ties beside her body at her home in Whetstone, Leicestershire.
Natasha, who was “still warm to the touch”, had been beaten, burnt and then strangled to death by evil Grant.
The monster has today been jailed for life with a minimum of 34 years after being convicted of murder.
Chilling footage previously showed the hours leading up to the killing as Grant bought the cable ties he used to bound and kill Natasha at a DIY store.
The couple had later been seen together on CCTV shopping in a Tesco store together.
Natasha appeared happy chatting to her boyfriend in the footage – unaware of the horror waiting for her at home.
On June 22 last year, police were called to the house after her worried family received a text from her phone asking for £2,000.
Her mum spoke with Grant through a window but he refused to let her in and later jumped from a window to escape.
CCTV showed him dumping the clothes he was wearing and a bag behind the house before frantically calling pals to pick him up.
Officers meanwhile discovered Natasha in the base of the bed with blood coming from her nose and ears and marks on her face, neck and arms.
A post mortem showed she had been strangled and suffered two burn marks on her arm.
Natasha also had “deep tissue injuries” to her head and face, as well as marks from where she been restrained.
Grant was later found by police at a friend’s home with Natasha’s bank card and watch.
Officers also seized a shotgun and a crowbar with Natasha’s blood on it, as well as a metal tool that matched the burns on her arms.
During his evidence, Grant spun a bizarre web of lies – claiming five strangers had broken into her home and killed Natasha while holding him at gunpoint.
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 dialling “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.
But jurors were told the cable tie found by Natasha’s body had Grant’s DNA on it.
His fingerprints were also discovered on the window ledge where he jumped to flee the murder scene.
Detective Inspector David Greenhalgh, from East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU), said: “Natasha was tragically subjected to a violent assault which sadly led to her death.
“She was a much-loved daughter, sister, aunt and friend who will be forever missed by those who knew her.
“Grant’s refusal to acknowledge his involvement has provided little explanation as to the motive for her murder so we can only infer given the urgent request to her family for a significant amount of money, that there was some type of financial element behind it.
“I am pleased that the jury saw through Grant’s lies and that he will now face many years behind bars for the callous and horrendous crime he committed.”