CCTV captures murderer walking pregnant girlfriend into woods
This is the chilling moment a married man walked his pregnant girlfriend into woods to kill her.
CCTV footage shows Filmon Andmichaen, 31, park his white Toyota Yaris by the side of the road in Ladywood, Birmingham, before he and Liwam Bereket exit the car and walk towards a nearby wooded area.
It was the last time Ms Bereket, who was 27 weeks pregnant, was seen alive.
Around 15 minutes later, the video shows Andmichaen returning to the vehicle alone and driving off.
In a statement read to the court, Ms Bereket’s family said the loss of their daughter and sister ‘shattered our lives in ways that are beyond words’.
They said: ‘She was not just a daughter and sister, she was a beautiful soul full of life, laughter and love. She brought joy to everyone around her and was kind-hearted and compassionate.
Learn more about femicide
- On average, one woman a week is killed by a partner/ex-partner.
- Of the 249 female domestic homicide victims between March 2020 and March 2022, the suspect was male in a staggering 241 cases.
- Women's Aid have found that women are over three times more likely to be killed by a partner than by not wearing a seatbelt
- A Killed Women survey found that only 4% of bereaved family members said their loved one’s killing was not preventable at all
- And Femicide Census found that 53% of the perpetrators of femicide in 2020 had a history of violence to women
‘We are forever changed and haunted by the nagging question of why this happened. Every day we have sat to try and find answers as to why he did this terrible thing.
Ms Bereket’s friends were already concerned about Mr Andmichaen’s aggressive and abusive behaviour.
A neighbour told police he saw the murderer punch Ms Bereket in the face months before.
Two hours after driving off, he called police and confessed to stabbing the 26-year-old, claiming it was an accident.
Police officers found Ms Bereket with fatal knife wounds to her neck and although she still showed some signs off life she died at the scene. Her baby was stillborn after an emergency caesarian.
Following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court, Andmichaen was found guilty of murder and earlier this week sentenced to a minimum of 27 years in prison.
Andmichaen, of Haddon Road, in Great Barr, was married to his wife, who moved from Uganda to live with him, and had children when he began a relationship with Ms Bereket.
Domestic abuse in pregnancy
- According to the NHS, pregnancy can act as a trigger for domestic abuse, and existing abuse may get worse during this time
- Safe Lives found in 2018 that 30% of domestic abuse commences during pregnancy
- About 20% of women in Refuge’s services are pregnant or have recently given birth
- In 2001, it was recommended that pregnant women should be routinely asked about domestic violence during appointments
When she fell pregnant he demanded she have an abortion, but she refused.
On August 1 2023, when she was six months pregnant and looking forward to becoming a mum, Andmichaen ‘took matters into his own hands’, the court heard.
After stabbing her, he returned home and confessed to his brother he had assaulted a woman, before eventually calling police.
Although he told officers he had had no intention of killing Ms Bereket, he had made every effort to ensure she couldn’t call for help, the jury heard. This included taking her phone, which was later found in the boot of his car.
What to do if you're experiencing domestic abuse
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. And whether you are currently coping with or have made the decision to leave, you do have options.
- If you are thinking about leaving, domestic abuse charity Refuge suggests starting a record of abusive incidents, which might include saving pictures or messages, or making notes of times, dates and details of incidents.
- The next step is to make copies of important documents such as court orders, marriage certificates, National Insurance Numbers and your driving licence.
- In the meantime, identify the safer areas of your home so that you know where to go if your abuser becomes aggravated. Ideally, this should be a room with a phone and a door or window to the outside.
- If you feel ready to leave, start by making a plan for a safe, reliable route out. If you feel safe to do so, pack an emergency bag so that you leave in a hurry if needed.
- You can access a local refuge, either with or without children, for as long as you need to stay. The address is confidential. The National Domestic Abuse Helpline (0808 2000 247) is open 24-hours a day and has all the details of refuges in your area.
- In an emergency situation, ring 999 and ask for the police. If you aren’t able to talk, try the Silent Solution: after dialling 999, listen to the questions from the operator and respond by coughing or tapping your device, if possible. If prompted, press 55 to let the operator know it's an emergency – you'll be put through to the police.
Read more here.
In the days following the murder, witnesses told police that they had previously seen Andmichaen assault Ms Bereket in the street.
Judge Mr Justice Choudhury said he had no doubt that Andmichaen had intended to end Ms Bereket’s life and that of her unborn daughter.
Following sentencing, detective chief inspector Jim Colclough from West Midlands Police’s Homicide Unit, said: ‘It’s just heart-breaking that a young woman who was looking forward to becoming a mum was killed in such a callous way.
‘This was a very distressing investigation for my team, but they have been determined to get justice for Liwam and her family.
‘Andmichaen has shown no remorse for his actions and has caused Liwam’s family further pain by putting them through a trial.
‘Andmichaen’s actions led to Liwam and her unborn baby girl’s death. I Hope the result today brings Liwam’s family some peace in knowing that the person who killed their daughter and her baby will serve many years in prison.
‘Violence against women and girls is unacceptable and won’t be tolerated. We know there is still more work to do, and it remains a priority for us.
‘We’ll continue working alongside our partners, to ensure everyone feels safe in the West Midlands.’
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