Man Jailed for Strangling Partner in Ilford
Muhammad Ilyas, 41, from Kingston Road, Ilford, was sentenced to at least 18 years behind bars on Friday, 1 July, at the Old Bailey. He was found guilty of murdering Maria Rafael Chavez, 32.
Chilling Discovery at Kingston Road Home
On the evening of 13 May 2021, police and the London Ambulance Service were called to a home on Kingston Road. Maria was found unresponsive and sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
There were no visible injuries or signs of a struggle. But a special post-mortem on 26 May revealed the grim truth: Maria died from neck compression, indicating strangulation.
Evidence Seals Ilyas’ Fate
Homicide detectives dug deeper, piecing together CCTV footage and witness statements. Their investigation confirmed Ilyas strangled Maria that afternoon.
When questioned, Ilyas denied involvement, claiming Maria died naturally. But the post-mortem results blew this claim apart.
Tragic Tale of a Couple Trying to Build a Life
The couple had moved to the UK in 2019. Maria was taking an English course, while Ilyas worked on a market stall in Stratford.
Now Ilyas faces a long stretch in prison for the murder of his partner, ending a tragic chapter in Ilford.
