A KILLER who stabbed his wife to death after warning her “this relationship will end with one of us being in the grave” has been jailed for 21 years.
Mugurel Nica, 51, regularly beat Anna Maria Murariu, 45, in the lead up to the murder at their home in Ealing, west .
Anna Maria Murariu, 46, died after being stabbed to death
Mugurel Nica, 51, was found guilty of the murder of his wife
Nica was obsessed his wife was having an affair and threatened her with a knife back in April 2023.
rushed to their address in Jubilee Road in the early hours of February 28 this year and found Ms Murariu dying from a dozen stab wounds.
Officers performed CPR before paramedics arrived but she died from her injuries at the scene.
Romanian Nica, who has indefinite leave to remain in the UK, was charged with murder the next day and he was convicted of the offence by a jury after a seven day trial at Southwark Crown .
The cowardly killer told the police that he thought his wife was in a relationship with someone else and that she had spiked his drink which caused him to hallucinate.
Mark Fenhalls KC, prosecuting, told the court Nica clearly intended to kill his wife.
He said: “There were 12 stab wounds. There was repeated violence including severe use of force.
“That we say is clear evidence that he was determined in his mind to get the job done, to kill her.”
Police had been called to their home when Nica threatened Anna Maria with a knife in April 2023 but he was not charged.
Referring to the incident in April 2023 Judge Thompson said: “You made a chillingly prescient comment on that occasion.
“You told her that this relationship is ending with one of us being in the grave and one of us being in .
“It is an unfortunate thing that that is exactly what has come to pass.”
Mr Fenhalls said the couple’s two eldest children, Ecaterina, 26, and Andrei, 20, did not want to write victim impact statements because it is too painful for them.
He added: “They still can’t come to terms with the situation that they face. It is too much for them.”
The judge went on to describe the events of 28 February: “Ecaterina and Andrei were awoken in the early hours of the morning to the sound of screaming.
“The door of the living room was locked, so Andrei punched and kicked it until it gave way.
“He found his mother on the floor covered in blood.”
Nica told police he was jealous as he believed that Anna Maria was having an affair.
The judge added: “You told them that you had killed your wife because she had found someone else.
“You claimed that you had a hallucination of a demon because she had spiked your drink, and that you were not in your right mind at the time that she died.
“The jury rightly rejected that account as an attempt by you to evade the responsibility that you bear for your wife’s death.
“You stabbed her 12 times and inflicted 14 separate wounds.
“You armed yourself with two knives, and as she lay dying on the floor you made no attempt to help her or call the emergency services.
“I am satisfied so that I am sure that once the attack started you stabbed her with the clear intention to kill her.”
Domestic abuse - how to get help
DOMESTIC abuse can affect anyone - including men - and does not always involve physical violence.
Here are some signs that you could be in an abusive relationship:
- Emotional abuse – Including being belittled, blamed for the abuse – gaslighting – being isolated from family and friends, having no control over your finances, what you where and who you speak to
- Threats and intimidation – Some partners might threaten to kill or hurt you, destroy your belongings, stalk or harass you
- Physical abuse – This can range from slapping or hitting to being shoved over, choked or bitten.
- Sexual abuse – Being touched in a way you do not want to be touched, hurt during sex, pressured into sex or forced to have sex when you do not consent.
If any of the above apply to you or a friend, you can call these numbers:
- The Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge on 0808 2000 247 for free at any time, day or night
- Men who are being abused can call Respect Men’s Advice Line on 0808 8010 327 or ManKind on 0182 3334 244
- Those who identify as LGBT+ can ring Galop on 0800 999 5428
- If you are in immediate danger or fear for your life, always ring 999
Remember, you are not alone.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic abuse over the course of their lifetime.
Every 30 seconds the police receive a call for help relating to domestic abuse.
Judge Anupama Thompson told Nica: “No sentence I pass today can remotely compensate your children for the loss of their mother at the hands of their father in their own home while they slept upstairs.”
Detective Inspector Richard Kempshall, who led the , said: “Ana Maria was a victim of appalling domestic violence. She leaves behind four children, whose bravery and strength throughout the investigation and trial has been remarkable.
“We hope today’s sentence offers a meaningful step towards their healing.
“I would like to once again extend my heartfelt thanks to the responding police officers, who detained Nica and attempted to save Ana Maria’s life.
“The professionalism and courage displayed by them was of the highest standard.
“It is our hope that anyone else suffering such violence may consider reaching out and asking for help when they hear of Ana Maria’s story.”
