MAN GETS LIFE FOR BRUTAL MURDER OF PARTNER
Apopei, a 27-year-old from east London, was convicted of murdering Denisa Silmen, a 25-year-old sex worker.The murder happened at their flat on Eversleigh Road in Newham on July 30, 2015, and was recorded on her mobile device.
The court was told that he stabbed her to death, and her last spoken words were: "You finished me off." Prior to the incident, Apopei had boasted that he could avoid charges by feigning insanity and claimed he would pretend to be mentally unwell if he faced prison, asserting he had enough money to buy his freedom.
Following his arrest, witnesses described seeing Apopei acting in an irrational manner, laughing uncontrollably and becoming aggressive.
Psychiatrists expressed differing opinions on his mental condition, and the jury was tasked with deciding if his actions should be viewed under diminished responsibility.
He received a life sentence with a minimum of 20 years behind bars.
The judge referred to the murder as "the slaughter of an innocent woman" and noted that Apopei's inability to accept her leaving was the motive.
The court detailed that the assault took place during a private moment, and her body was found with extensive mutilation, including her head almost completely detached.
The violence was so extreme that her voicemail recorded her final words along with threats from Apopei to kill her, highlighting the brutality of the attack.
