BRETT ROGERS FROM STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET MURDERS MOTHER GILLIAN PHILLIPS AND FRIEND DAVID OAKES IN HORRIFIC ATTACK

In a tragic and brutal incident that shocked the community of Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex, Brett Rogers, a man with a troubling history of violence, carried out a devastating attack that resulted in the deaths of his mother, Gillian Phillips, aged 54, and her close friend, David Oakes, aged 60. The horrifying events unfolded at Gillian Phillips' residence in Stansted Mountfitchet in the year 2015, leaving a trail of grief and questions about the adequacy of the protective measures that failed to prevent this tragedy.

At the time of the attack, Rogers was only 23 years old but had already accumulated a long and disturbing record of violent behavior. His criminal history included assaults on his own father, which had raised alarms among authorities and mental health professionals. Despite these warnings and his history of violence, Rogers was released on licence just a few weeks prior to the murders, a decision that would later be scrutinized heavily.

According to reports, Rogers launched a savage assault on his mother and her friend within her home. The attack was particularly brutal, with Gillian Phillips suffering more than 40 stab wounds, a testament to the ferocity of the violence. David Oakes was also attacked, sustaining 56 stab wounds during the assault. The severity of the injuries underscored the deadly intent behind the attack and the tragic loss of life that ensued.

Gillian Phillips had reportedly felt compelled to take her son back into her home after his release, despite warnings from authorities about his dangerous and unstable nature. She believed she had little choice but to support him, even as her concerns about his mental health and violent tendencies grew. The tragic outcome highlighted the complex and often heartbreaking decisions faced by families dealing with individuals with severe mental health issues and violent histories.

Following the incident, Rogers was apprehended and subsequently sentenced to 32 years in prison for his crimes. However, his life was cut short in 2017 when he was found dead in his cell, an event that added another layer of tragedy to the case. An official review into the circumstances surrounding the murders revealed that although Rogers did not initially appear to be a significant concern to authorities, he was ultimately recognized as a clear and imminent risk to his family. The report criticized the lack of sufficient mental health support and highlighted missed opportunities to intervene and prevent the tragedy.

The review also emphasized that Rogers' dangerous history and mental health issues should have prompted more rigorous supervision and intervention. Instead, the system failed to act decisively, allowing the violence to occur. The case remains a stark reminder of the importance of early intervention, comprehensive mental health care, and the need for authorities to heed warning signs before irreversible tragedies take place.