Mother of Murdered Hotel Worker Haunted by 'Demonic' Attack Details
The mother of a hotel worker brutally murdered by an asylum seeker has described the attack as 'demonic,' revealing she remains consumed by guilt and grief nearly two years later. Rhiannon Whyte, a 27-year-old mother to a six-year-old boy, was stabbed 23 times in the head and chest with a screwdriver after finishing her shift at the Park Inn Hotel in Walsall in October 2024.
Details of the Fatal Assault
Sudanese migrant Deng Chol Majek followed Whyte as she walked to Bescott Stadium railway station to catch her train home, then attacked her on the platform. CCTV footage and DNA analysis provided overwhelming evidence, leading to Majek's conviction at Coventry Crown Court, where he was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 29 years.
Siobhan, Whyte's mother, refuses to refer to the killer by name, stating he showed 'no remorse, no conscience and has taken no responsibility for his actions.' She recounted the harrowing moment footage showed Majek throwing Whyte's phone into the River Tome as a call from her flashed up, while Whyte lay unconscious in intensive care.
Family Trauma and Court Proceedings
While Whyte fought for her life in the hospital, Majek was seen dancing at the hotel after purchasing beer at a local off-licence. Siobhan has also grappled with explaining the loss to her six-year-old grandson, who lives with his aunt Alex, telling him simply that a 'bad man hurt her brain and the doctors couldn't make it better.'
In court, Siobhan noted that Majek looked her in the eye only once, describing him as 'dead behind the eyes.' When the defense suggested Majek could have been mistaken for someone else due to Walsall's multicultural community, Siobhan had to step out of the courtroom, overwhelmed by emotion.
Broader Implications and Personal Views
Asked about migration policies, Siobhan urged the government to take 'its head out of the sand' and improve vetting processes for undocumented migrants. However, as a senior healthcare worker, she emphasized that her family does not judge people by skin color, noting she works alongside several immigrants who are legally in the UK and are 'lovely women.'
Whyte, remembered by her mother as 'smart, kind and funny, with the gentlest, purest heart,' was pronounced dead three days after the attack. Her friend's call to British Transport Police led to Majek's arrest within five hours, as he had returned to the hotel. The case highlights ongoing debates about public safety and immigration enforcement in the UK.
