A man has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his ex-partner in Greenwich, just days before their daughter's fourth birthday. Yurii Muzyka, 34, was found guilty of stabbing 29-year-old Halyna Hoisan, known as Lina, six times in the chest at her flat in Greenwich, south London, on August 27 last year.
The court heard that Muzyka, a Ukrainian national from New Malden, had a history of violence and stalking against Ms Hoisan. She had reported him to police and obtained a non-molestation order against him. Despite this, Muzyka forced his way into her home while their three-year-old daughter was present.
After the attack, Muzyka took photographs of Ms Hoisan as she lay dying and recorded a selfie video near her body. He then stabbed himself in the stomach after a man who had been on a second date with Ms Hoisan ran to alert police. Muzyka was later arrested in hospital and claimed he had lost control, but a jury rejected his defence.
Sentencing and Judge's Remarks
Sentencing Muzyka to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 30 years, Judge Simon Mayo KC described the attack as planned and sustained. He stated that Muzyka had purchased a knife less than six hours before the murder and conducted internet searches on vulnerable areas of the human body. The judge said, “I am sure you intended to kill her. In killing Halyna, you robbed her young daughter of her mother just days before her fourth birthday.”
The judge also highlighted that Muzyka knew his daughter would be present during the attack, calling it a matter of particular gravity. He described the act of photographing Ms Hoisan as she lay dying as degrading and intrusive, causing incalculable distress to her family.
Background and Evidence
Ms Hoisan had moved to Greenwich to escape Muzyka, but he discovered her location by placing a tracking device in their daughter's scooter. She reported this to police, along with the theft of her phone. Seven days before the murder, she secured a non-molestation order. On the day of the killing, Muzyka bought a knife and recorded videos in which he expressed jealousy and accused Ms Hoisan of sleeping around.
Investigators found evidence on his phone showing an obsession with spyware, masks, knives, and human anatomy, including 186 images of the chest and heart, and 261 of knives. The court also heard that Ms Hoisan's mother, Svitlana, addressed Muzyka in court, saying, “I cannot comprehend how one person can do something like this to another human being.”
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Franklin from Scotland Yard said, “Halyna’s murder was an appalling act of cruelty. Muzyka robbed a child of her devoted mother and parents of a loving daughter.” The successful conviction highlights the Met’s commitment to tackling violence against women and girls.
