Serial Rapist Aman Vyas Found Guilty of Michelle Samaraweera’s Murder
Aman Vyas, 35, has been convicted of multiple rapes that ended in the brutal murder of Michelle Samaraweera.
Walthamstow Terror: Vyas’s Reign of Violence
Vyas’s horrific crime spree unfolded across Walthamstow between March and May 2009. The 35-year-old terrorised lone women in the early hours, targeting victims around Markhouse Road.
- March 24, 2009: The first victim, a 59-year-old woman, was raped after Vyas forced his way into her flat.
- April 22, 2009: Vyas attacked a 46-year-old woman, using a knife to threaten and then rape her in an alleyway.
- April 29, 2009: A 32-year-old woman was found severely injured near St. Saviour’s Church after being assaulted and raped.
- May 30, 2009: The ordeal ended with the murder of Michelle Samaraweera. She was found strangled and sexually assaulted in a park on Queens Road.
The Breakthrough: DNA and a Nationwide Manhunt
Despite partial DNA samples being found at initial crime scenes, police struggled to identify the attacker for years. Vyas wasn’t on the DNA database, and the suspect’s description was vague—a man of Asian appearance, 30-40 years old.
Thousands of DNA swabs and 60,000 posters saturated the Walthamstow area. The turning point came when a former employer recognised Vyas from a CCTV image circulated by police after a major Royal Mail leaflet drop.
His former boss provided a DNA sample from a family member, revealing a familial link to the DNA on the crime scenes. Vyas had fled to India shortly after the murder, buying a one-way ticket just days after a Crimewatch appeal.
International Hunt Ends with Arrest and Extradition
Police tracked Vyas’s movements across India, New Zealand, and Singapore before Indian authorities arrested him at New Delhi Airport in 2011. After a lengthy extradition battle, he was finally brought back to the UK in October 2019.
With a full DNA sample taken, forensic experts confirmed beyond doubt that Vyas was guilty—the odds of the DNA matching anyone else were one billion to one.
Detective Praises Community and Calls for Victims to Speak Up
Detective Sergeant Shaleena Sheikh said: “There has been a long wait for justice, but finally the victims and their families have seen the person responsible held to account. Vyas fled abroad and tried to evade responsibility, but the injuries he inflicted told the true story.”
“This case spanned more than ten years, involved investigations in several countries, and required a huge community effort with thousands volunteering DNA samples. I thank everyone who helped bring this violent predator to justice.”
“Vyas’s crimes were ruthless and rare in their severity. To victims of sexual assault, we say: tell us, and you will be supported.”
Vyas was found guilty of six counts of rape, one count of grievous bodily harm, and the murder of Michelle Samaraweera. He was cleared of possession of a bladed weapon.
He will be sentenced at Croydon Crown Court on 21 August.
