‘I want to look them in the eye and ask them why’: Murder victim’s mother
The heartbroken mother of a UK schoolgirl, who was brutally raped and murdered, says she wants to meet her daughter’s killers face-to-face and ask them why.
Fifteen-year-old Kayleigh Haywood’s body was found with 42 bone breaks, including 16 to her face, after she tried to escape the two men who imprisoned her.
Now on the first anniversary of Kayleigh’s death, her mother Stephanie says it is time for answers.
"I asked the police if I can have a visit with one of (Kayleigh’s killers) – I want to see that evil that took her from us face-to-face, to look them in the eye and ask them why,” she told UK media.
"Maybe they didn't plan for it to get out of hand, but it did.”
The UK schoolgirl had told her parents she was going to visit a friend, but secretly arranged to meet with Luke Harlow, who had lured the 15-year-old through social media.
Harlow, a convicted pervert, had bombarded the teen with hundreds of love messages on Facebook – including one that said he wanted to keep the schoolgirl as a sex slave.
In a case that shocked the UK, neighbour Stephen Beadman joined Kayleigh and Harlow but when the schoolgirl tried to leave, the duo held her against her will.
Beadman later marched her to a secluded field after she tried to escape, raped her and beat her to death with a rock.
The teen’s body was found three days after she was reported missing by her family.
It was only later when police arrested Beadman that Kayleigh’s fight would come to light – he was arrested with scratch marks all over his face.
In July this year, Harlow was sentenced to 12 years’ jail for grooming and sexual assault while Beadman was convicted of Kayleigh’s rape and murder.
He was jailed for 35 years.
"Harlow was a 27-year-old man and he shouldn't have been talking to Kayleigh in the first place,” Kayleigh’s mum told UK media.
“As a parent, it's so hard to spot the warning signs.”
Stephanie said she wanted to know why Beadman and Harlow took away her daughter, leaving her without the chance to say goodbye.
Both men have refused to Stephanie’s visit requests.
