Ilford Man Jailed for Brutal Hatchet Murder of Sister-in-Law
Nicolae Virtosu, 49, from Princes Road, Ilford, has been sentenced to at least 28 years behind bars for the savage killing of his sister-in-law, Svetlana Mihalachi. The grim verdict was delivered at London’s Old Bailey on Monday, 9 October.
Domestic Tensions Escalate to Deadly Violence
Virtosu and Svetlana lived together with her husband and their 12-year-old son in Ilford, but their relationship was explosive. Arguments over noisy disturbances, chores, and money were constant. Svetlana begged Virtosu to leave, but he refused.
Matters spiraled as Virtosu repeatedly threatened Svetlana, leaving her fearful and prompting her to report his illegal UK status to the Home Office. On 3 March 2021, Svetlana called the police demanding Virtosu be removed, but she was too scared to lodge a formal complaint.
Hatchet Attack Shocks Ilford Community
Tragedy struck on 9 April 2021 when emergency services received a call about an assault at the Princes Road home. Officers found Svetlana critically injured, her head battered with blows from a hatchet—later found at the scene bearing Virtosu’s fingerprints.
CCTV showed Virtosu fleeing at speed just before the attack, even attempting a call to Svetlana’s husband then texting him to inform of the fatal incident. Despite frantic efforts by paramedics and hospital staff at the Royal London Hospital, Svetlana died weeks later on 12 May due to her injuries.
Psychotic Defence Rejected by Jury
Virtosu, arrested after returning to the crime scene, claimed during his trial to suffer from psychosis and voices. He bizarrely insisted Svetlana appeared to him with glowing red eyes, seeking diminished responsibility. The jury disagreed, branding the attack a calculated act of violent rage.
Detective Constable Rosamund Ellis said: “In the weeks leading to her death, Svetlana lived under the constant threat of violence from Virtosu. Those threats turned into a ferocious attack that took her life. This was not the act of a disturbed individual but of a violent man fulfilling his violent threats.”
Virtosu’s sentence sends a strong message that domestic violence and intimidation will be met with the full force of the law.
