Asylum Seeker Receives Life Sentence for Brutal Train Station Murder
An asylum seeker has been handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 29 years for the horrific murder of a hotel worker at a train station in the West Midlands. Deng Chol Majek, who is from Sudan and claimed to be 19 years old, was convicted of stabbing Rhiannon Skye Whyte to death in a sustained and vicious attack.
Chilling Details of the October 2024 Attack
The court heard that Majek stabbed Ms Whyte, a 27-year-old hotel employee, 19 times in the head and 23 times in total with a screwdriver. The incident occurred in October 2024 at Bescot Stadium station in Walsall. CCTV footage captured Majek following Ms Whyte from the Park Inn hotel, where he lived and she worked, to the station platform.
Ms Whyte succumbed to her injuries three days after the assault. She was discovered by the driver and guard of a train that arrived at the station approximately five minutes after the attack took place.
Disturbing Behaviour Before and After the Murder
Prior to the murder, Majek had been reported to hotel security for "spookily" staring at three female staff members for prolonged periods. Following the fatal stabbing, Majek—who stands about 10 inches taller than his victim—walked to the Caldmore Green area of Walsall to purchase beer. Surveillance footage showed him apparently wiping blood from his trousers.
He returned to the hotel at 12.13am, changed his bloodstained flip-flops for trainers, and was seen dancing with other residents in the car park. This occurred within sight of emergency vehicles that had been dispatched to the station.
Prosecution Condemns Callous Actions
Carla Harris from the Crown Prosecution Service stated: "Rhiannon Whyte should have been able to go to work and come home safely—but Deng Chol Majek robbed her of her life and future." She added, "He attacked her for no reason, and callously left her bleeding on a station platform. He then appeared to rejoice in his actions, having been caught laughing and dancing on footage an hour later."
Majek was originally found guilty in October, and police noted at the time that he had shown no remorse for his crimes. The sentencing took place on Friday, 30 January 2026.
This case highlights the tragic loss of a young woman's life and the severe consequences of such violent acts within the community.
