Convicted murderer dies in prison weeks after brutal stabbing spree
Flatmate killer dies from drug overdose behind bars
Christopher Baptiste, 54, who stabbed his flatmate Sonny Booty 14 times during a drunken fight, has died in prison just 10 weeks after being handed a life sentence. Baptiste was found dead in his cell at HMP Swaleside on October 31, 2023.
Sertraline overdose sparks prison scandal
The cause of death was sertraline toxicity—an antidepressant Baptiste was prescribed and supposed to take under supervision. But a Prisons and Probation Ombudsman investigation revealed he somehow stockpiled a lethal dose. The report suggests he either hoarded his meds or swapped them with fellow inmates. Prison staff failed to keep a close eye when dispensing the drugs.
However, there was no clear sign Baptiste planned suicide or was flagged for self-harm.
Brutal Lewisham stabbing shocked community
Back in August 2022, Baptiste viciously attacked 36-year-old Sonny Booty at their shared Lewisham flat, stabbing him repeatedly in the face, chest, arms, and legs after a bar dispute. The pair had been drinking and playing pool at The Anchor pub before their argument spiralled dangerously. Sonny died at the scene despite attempts to save him.
Dreaded confession and family heartbreak
- Baptiste told a neighbour something had happened but gave no details.
- He phoned friends hinting he wouldn’t be free for a while.
- The next day, he walked into Lewisham Police Station and bluntly confessed, “I’ve murdered my flatmate.”
Sonny’s mother, Kim Booty, issued a moving statement: “No mother should ever have to identify their child in a mortuary. The trauma has left me with anxiety and panic attacks. Sonny’s children are scared all the time. No child should face losing a parent this way.”
Prison faces fresh scrutiny
Baptiste’s death has ignited fresh concerns about drug security at HMP Swaleside. Poor supervision during medication distribution gave inmates the chance to amass dangerous quantities of prescription drugs. It remains unclear if official probes into prison safety measures will follow.
This shocking story is still developing.
