In a deeply disturbing case that has gripped the United Kingdom, a 47-year-old mother, Kara Alexander, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of her two young sons, Marley and Elijah Thomas. The tragic incident occurred in December 2022 at their home in Dagenham, East London, and was fueled by Alexander’s heavy consumption of skunk – a high-potency strain of cannabis linked to psychosis and severe mental health breakdowns.
Alexander drowned five-year-old Marley and two-year-old Elijah in a bathtub before tucking their lifeless bodies into bed. Their father, Selvin Thomas, arrived at the house to pick up the children for the weekend. Alarmed by Alexander’s silence and refusal to communicate, Thomas discovered the unimaginable—his two sons lying side by side, cold and unresponsive, their bodies already stiff from the chilling effects of death.
Upon discovery, Alexander fled the scene but was arrested approximately an hour later. She later claimed that the boys had been left in the bath while she smoked cannabis in another room. However, the jury at Kingston Crown Court found her guilty of two counts of murder after nearly seven hours of deliberation.
Presiding over the trial, Justice Richard Bennathan sentenced Alexander to life imprisonment with a minimum of 21 years and 252 days. In his sentencing remarks, he described her actions as a “shocking abuse of trust,” especially coming from someone who had previously been seen as a caring mother.
The judge emphasized the dangerous impact of Alexander’s excessive cannabis use, particularly the skunk strain. “The heavy use of skunk or other hyper-potent strains of cannabis can plunge people into a mental health crisis in which they may harm themselves or others,” Justice Bennathan stated. He added that it was time society fully understood the mental health risks associated with such substances.
Medical assessments presented during the trial confirmed that Alexander was in a psychotic state when she committed the murders. Although she had experienced a previous psychotic episode in 2016, there was no indication she had been warned about the dangers of cannabis exacerbating her condition.
In a heart-wrenching victim impact statement read by prosecutor Philip Evans, Selvin Thomas described the immense pain he continues to endure. He accused Alexander of deliberately orchestrating the horrific scene so he would be the one to find their sons dead. “Kara ensured there would be maximum impact on me… She was able to brutally end the lives of two innocent children, put them in bed and wait calmly for me,” he said.
Thomas also speculated that Alexander may have intended to frame him for the murders, describing her actions as those of a “cold-hearted, selfish, and extremely stupid demon.”
Despite the conviction, Thomas noted that Alexander has shown no remorse, no apology, and has left many questions unanswered. “It is a pain that follows me all day, every day and will do for the rest of my life,” he stated.
The case has sparked outrage and sorrow across the UK, with many questioning the accessibility of potent cannabis strains and the lack of intervention despite Alexander’s known struggles with mental health and substance abuse. Friends of Alexander admitted during the trial that they were aware of her heavy cannabis use while she cared for her young sons but failed to warn her or authorities.
The court also heard that Marley and Elijah, affectionately known as “Teddy,” had previously lived with both parents in Hackney before the couple separated. Following the split, Alexander relocated to Dagenham with the boys, raising them alone.
This case brings renewed attention to the growing concerns over skunk cannabis, which has been repeatedly linked to psychosis, especially in long-term users. Experts have called for stricter regulations, more public awareness, and mental health screenings for those exposed to high-potency cannabis strains.
Justice Bennathan’s final remarks underscored the gravity of Alexander’s actions and their long-lasting impact. “Every day, you will remember and grieve the little boys whose lives you snatched away,” he said, sealing the fate of a mother whose descent into psychosis ended in unimaginable tragedy.