Boyfriend and Mother Jailed for Brutal Murder of Toddler Kyrell Matthews
A chilling case at the Old Bailey revealed the horrific abuse suffered by toddler Kyrell Matthews before his death in October 2019. On Friday 4 March, Kemar Brown, 28, boyfriend of Kyrell’s mother, was found guilty of Kyrell’s murder and causing or allowing serious harm to the child. Kyrell’s mother, Phylesia Shirley, 24, was convicted of manslaughter after previously pleading guilty to allowing her son’s death and abuse.
Life Sentences Delivered for Unthinkable Abuse
On 25 March, Brown was sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum of 25 years behind bars. Shirley received a 13-year sentence for her part in the toddler’s death. The court heard how Kyrell endured repeated, savage assaults over months, leaving him with 41 broken ribs and a torn liver. The abuse was so severe it was captured in heartbreaking audio recordings discovered on Shirley’s phone.
Disturbing Evidence and Emotional Tributes
Detective Chief Inspector Kate Kieran described the case as “horrific,” condemning the “ongoing abuse” that ended Kyrell’s short life during a final brutal attack.
“It is impossible to understand how someone can brutalise a child in this way. This was not some sudden loss of temper – these injuries show that the abuse of Kyrell went on and on,” said DCI Kieran. “My team listened repeatedly to the sound of Kyrell being beaten and abused. I want to pay tribute to their resilience in securing justice.”
Samantha Yelland from the Crown Prosecution Service added,
“This was a violent, determined and repeated pattern of assaults against a defenceless young child. Kyrell would have been in significant discomfort before his death. As a mother, Shirley should have protected him, but instead subjected him to countless assaults along with her partner.”
Kyrell’s family mourned their loss, saying,
“Kyrell – you were robbed of the life God had intended for you. Our family have been robbed of the joys of watching you grow and seeing what you would have become. You have left a void in our hearts that will never be filled. We carry you in our hearts forever.”
Timeline of Tragedy: Abusive Hell Uncovered
- On 20 October 2019, Shirley called the NHS helpline reporting Kyrell was struggling to breathe and his eyes were rolling back.
- Ambulance crews arrived 12 minutes later but found no heartbeat; Kyrell was rushed to hospital and pronounced dead at 4:15pm.
- Initial denials from both Brown and Shirley followed but a post-mortem uncovered terrifying injuries including a torn liver and dozens of broken ribs from repeated assaults.
- Police seized Shirley’s phone, uncovering audio recordings of Kyrell’s abuse from June to September 2019, capturing both Brown and Shirley striking the toddler.
- Both were arrested in October 2019 and charged with murder and causing or allowing a child’s death on 7 December 2020.
The jury rightly found both Brown and Shirley guilty of shocking cruelty and murder. The devastating case shines a grim spotlight on child abuse and the urgent need to protect the vulnerable.
