Aman Vyas CARRIES OUT BRUTAL CRIMES IN WALTHAMSTOW AND MURDERS MICHELLE SAMARAWERA
| Red Rose Database
Walthamstow Rapist
In a case that spanned over a decade, Aman Vyas, aged 35, of no fixed address, was convicted on Thursday, 30 July, at the Old Bailey for a series of heinous crimes committed across Walthamstow, culminating in the murder of Michelle Samaraweera. The court found Vyas guilty of multiple offenses, including the rape and murder of Ms. Samaraweera, as well as three other women he attacked during a violent spree between March and May of 2009.
Vyas’s criminal activities began when he was 24 years old, targeting lone women in the Walthamstow area, particularly around Markhouse Road. His pattern of offending involved stalking women in the early hours, often in the vicinity of their flats, and then assaulting them. The first known incident occurred on the early morning of Tuesday, 24 March 2009, involving a 59-year-old woman who had gone out to top up her meter key. As she returned home, Vyas followed her into the communal area of her apartment block. She noticed him on the stairs, and after a brief exchange, he forced his way into her flat. When she asked him to leave, Vyas responded with violence, punching her repeatedly in the face before raping her. He then apologized and left the scene. The woman sustained bruising, swelling, and bleeding, and was taken to hospital for treatment. Forensic analysis recovered partial DNA evidence, which confirmed that the perpetrator was not on the police DNA database.
The second attack took place on Wednesday, 22 April 2009. A 46-year-old woman out for a walk was approached by Vyas, who claimed he was looking to buy drugs. She agreed to help him find a dealer, but once they reached an alley, Vyas pulled out a knife, forced her down, and assaulted her. When she screamed, he punched her, raped her, and then fled. She managed to contact police afterward. Forensic evidence from the scene initially yielded only partial DNA, but a full profile was later obtained in 2019, providing a definitive link to Vyas.
The third assault occurred on Wednesday, 29 April 2009. The victim, a 32-year-old woman, had visited a local supermarket and was walking home near St. Saviour’s Church when she was attacked. She was found later by a member of the public in a graveyard, screaming and groaning. She had suffered a deep head wound, a fractured jaw and nose, and was hypothermic. She was hospitalized for over a month, and only in June was she able to speak to police about her ordeal. A DNA sample taken from a blanket used to cover her was linked to the other attacks.
The final and most devastating incident was the murder of Michelle Samaraweera, a 35-year-old widow living alone in Hainault but with a boyfriend in Walthamstow. On Saturday, 30 May 2009, CCTV footage captured her purchasing snacks at a shop on Markhouse Road. A man, later identified as Vyas, entered the shop, and after she left, she was seen walking along Queens Road near a small park. Around 1:30 a.m., witnesses heard screams from the park, but police were not called at that time. Tragically, at approximately 5:15 a.m., a dog walker discovered her partially clothed body. She had been strangled and sexually assaulted, and despite efforts to save her, she was pronounced dead at the scene. The post-mortem confirmed her injuries included strangulation, and forensic evidence was collected.
Initial police investigations into the first two assaults did not yield immediate results, as DNA samples did not match any known profiles. The DNA recovered from the murder scene was also linked to the earlier attacks, establishing a pattern. Despite multiple arrests and extensive inquiries, including house-to-house searches and media appeals, the suspect remained unidentified for years. The police described the suspect as being of Asian appearance, with dark skin, aged between 30 and 40.
In November 2010, a breakthrough occurred when a poster campaign featuring the suspect’s image from CCTV footage led to a crucial tip. A man recognized the suspect as a former employee of his, noting the distinctive jacket he wore. This individual contacted police and identified the suspect as Aman Vyas. Further investigation revealed that Vyas had left the country in July 2009, shortly after the murder, purchasing a one-way ticket to India. A family member of Vyas’s former employer provided a water bottle that Vyas had drunk from, which was later linked through familial DNA analysis to the suspect.
Vyas’s whereabouts remained unknown until Indian authorities arrested him at New Delhi Airport on 4 July 2011 as he attempted to leave India. Extradition proceedings commenced, and after years of legal processes, he was finally brought back to the UK, arriving at Heathrow on 4 October 2019. The police obtained a full DNA profile from Vyas, which was found to be a billion times more likely to belong to him than to any other individual. This conclusive evidence, combined with the extensive investigation, led to his conviction.
Detective Sergeant Shaleena Sheikh, who led the case, expressed relief and satisfaction at the outcome. She emphasized the long and complex nature of the investigation, which involved international cooperation, numerous media appeals, and the voluntary participation of thousands of men providing DNA samples. She praised the efforts of everyone involved, stating, “There has been a long wait for justice in this case but finally the victims and their families have seen the person responsible brought to account.”
She also highlighted Vyas’s attempts to evade justice by fleeing abroad and the challenges faced in linking him to the crimes. Despite these obstacles, the investigation ultimately succeeded, demonstrating the dedication of the Metropolitan Police. She reaffirmed their commitment to supporting victims and pursuing justice for all who suffer sexual assault or violent crime, encouraging victims to come forward.
Vyas was acquitted of one charge—possession of a bladed weapon—and was found guilty of the remaining charges, including the murder, multiple rapes, and grievous bodily harm. His sentencing is scheduled at Croydon Crown Court on Friday, 21 August.
Vyas’s criminal activities began when he was 24 years old, targeting lone women in the Walthamstow area, particularly around Markhouse Road. His pattern of offending involved stalking women in the early hours, often in the vicinity of their flats, and then assaulting them. The first known incident occurred on the early morning of Tuesday, 24 March 2009, involving a 59-year-old woman who had gone out to top up her meter key. As she returned home, Vyas followed her into the communal area of her apartment block. She noticed him on the stairs, and after a brief exchange, he forced his way into her flat. When she asked him to leave, Vyas responded with violence, punching her repeatedly in the face before raping her. He then apologized and left the scene. The woman sustained bruising, swelling, and bleeding, and was taken to hospital for treatment. Forensic analysis recovered partial DNA evidence, which confirmed that the perpetrator was not on the police DNA database.
The second attack took place on Wednesday, 22 April 2009. A 46-year-old woman out for a walk was approached by Vyas, who claimed he was looking to buy drugs. She agreed to help him find a dealer, but once they reached an alley, Vyas pulled out a knife, forced her down, and assaulted her. When she screamed, he punched her, raped her, and then fled. She managed to contact police afterward. Forensic evidence from the scene initially yielded only partial DNA, but a full profile was later obtained in 2019, providing a definitive link to Vyas.
The third assault occurred on Wednesday, 29 April 2009. The victim, a 32-year-old woman, had visited a local supermarket and was walking home near St. Saviour’s Church when she was attacked. She was found later by a member of the public in a graveyard, screaming and groaning. She had suffered a deep head wound, a fractured jaw and nose, and was hypothermic. She was hospitalized for over a month, and only in June was she able to speak to police about her ordeal. A DNA sample taken from a blanket used to cover her was linked to the other attacks.
The final and most devastating incident was the murder of Michelle Samaraweera, a 35-year-old widow living alone in Hainault but with a boyfriend in Walthamstow. On Saturday, 30 May 2009, CCTV footage captured her purchasing snacks at a shop on Markhouse Road. A man, later identified as Vyas, entered the shop, and after she left, she was seen walking along Queens Road near a small park. Around 1:30 a.m., witnesses heard screams from the park, but police were not called at that time. Tragically, at approximately 5:15 a.m., a dog walker discovered her partially clothed body. She had been strangled and sexually assaulted, and despite efforts to save her, she was pronounced dead at the scene. The post-mortem confirmed her injuries included strangulation, and forensic evidence was collected.
Initial police investigations into the first two assaults did not yield immediate results, as DNA samples did not match any known profiles. The DNA recovered from the murder scene was also linked to the earlier attacks, establishing a pattern. Despite multiple arrests and extensive inquiries, including house-to-house searches and media appeals, the suspect remained unidentified for years. The police described the suspect as being of Asian appearance, with dark skin, aged between 30 and 40.
In November 2010, a breakthrough occurred when a poster campaign featuring the suspect’s image from CCTV footage led to a crucial tip. A man recognized the suspect as a former employee of his, noting the distinctive jacket he wore. This individual contacted police and identified the suspect as Aman Vyas. Further investigation revealed that Vyas had left the country in July 2009, shortly after the murder, purchasing a one-way ticket to India. A family member of Vyas’s former employer provided a water bottle that Vyas had drunk from, which was later linked through familial DNA analysis to the suspect.
Vyas’s whereabouts remained unknown until Indian authorities arrested him at New Delhi Airport on 4 July 2011 as he attempted to leave India. Extradition proceedings commenced, and after years of legal processes, he was finally brought back to the UK, arriving at Heathrow on 4 October 2019. The police obtained a full DNA profile from Vyas, which was found to be a billion times more likely to belong to him than to any other individual. This conclusive evidence, combined with the extensive investigation, led to his conviction.
Detective Sergeant Shaleena Sheikh, who led the case, expressed relief and satisfaction at the outcome. She emphasized the long and complex nature of the investigation, which involved international cooperation, numerous media appeals, and the voluntary participation of thousands of men providing DNA samples. She praised the efforts of everyone involved, stating, “There has been a long wait for justice in this case but finally the victims and their families have seen the person responsible brought to account.”
She also highlighted Vyas’s attempts to evade justice by fleeing abroad and the challenges faced in linking him to the crimes. Despite these obstacles, the investigation ultimately succeeded, demonstrating the dedication of the Metropolitan Police. She reaffirmed their commitment to supporting victims and pursuing justice for all who suffer sexual assault or violent crime, encouraging victims to come forward.
Vyas was acquitted of one charge—possession of a bladed weapon—and was found guilty of the remaining charges, including the murder, multiple rapes, and grievous bodily harm. His sentencing is scheduled at Croydon Crown Court on Friday, 21 August.