Asylum Seeker Receives Life Sentence for Brutal Murder of Hotel Worker
An asylum seeker who stabbed a hotel worker to death in a vicious, unprovoked attack has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 29 years. Deng Chol Majek was convicted of murdering 27-year-old Rhiannon Whyte, who was stabbed 23 times at Bescot Stadium railway station in Walsall.
A Mother's Grief and a Family's Anguish
Rhiannon Whyte, described by her family as a kind, caring mother who always put others first, leaves behind a five-year-old son. She suffered a fatal brain stem injury during the attack and died in hospital three days later.
In an emotional victim impact statement delivered at Wolverhampton Crown Court, her mother Donna Whyte addressed Majek directly, describing him as an "evil nightmare" and stating: "Let me see you dancing now."
The Night of the Attack
The court heard how Majek, who lived at Walsall's Park Inn Hotel where Rhiannon worked, had been reported to security earlier on 20 October 2024 for staring at female staff members for prolonged periods. After Rhiannon finished her shift at 11pm, Majek followed her to the deserted Bescot Stadium station.
CCTV evidence showed Majek disappearing from view for approximately 90 seconds while he launched what prosecutors described as a "frenzied and unprovoked attack." Rhiannon sustained 19 wounds to her head among the 23 total stab injuries.
Chilling Aftermath and Apparent Celebration
In what the prosecution described as particularly callous behaviour, Majek was captured on CCTV walking to Caldmore Green area of Walsall to purchase a beer shortly after the attack, wiping what appeared to be blood from his trousers.
He then returned to the Park Inn Hotel at 12.13am, changed his bloodstained flip-flops for trainers, and was seen dancing with other residents in the car park. This occurred within sight of emergency vehicles that were attempting to save Rhiannon's life.
No Motive and No Remorse
During the trial, no clear motive for the killing was established. Majek, who stands approximately 10 inches taller than his victim, had brushed past Rhiannon earlier in the evening as he left the hotel to smoke.
Rhiannon's sister Alex Whyte told the court: "You continue to show no remorse and to take no responsibility for your cowardly actions. We still don't know or understand why you stalked, hunted and preyed upon Rhiannon."
She added: "What are we supposed to say? You brutalised Rhiannon and then partied as if nothing had happened. You celebrated. You might as well have danced on her grave."
Background and Previous Behaviour
The court heard that Majek is believed to have entered the UK by small boat less than three months before the killing. He had previously been arrested in Kaiserslautern, Germany in August 2023 after kicking the door of a train.
During his trial, Majek claimed he was not the figure caught on CCTV tracking Rhiannon and told jurors he had left a pregnant wife behind in Sudan. The only agreed facts presented about his background were that he had no previous convictions or cautions recorded against him in the UK.
A Family's Life Sentence
Speaking outside court after the trial, Alex Whyte described her sister as someone with "a beautiful and bright future" who was smart, kind, funny, caring and hardworking.
"On Sunday the 20th October 2024, my family were handed a life sentence when Deng Chol Majek launched a frenzied and unprovoked attack on Rhiannon for no apparent reason whatsoever," she said.
"Throughout this trial we have been given no reason as to why he chose Rhiannon, no accountability for his actions and no remorse. She fought for her life and to save herself from this sick, twisted and cowardly human – who showed no regard for Rhiannon or human life."
The case has highlighted concerns about hotel accommodation for asylum seekers and the safety of hospitality workers, though no direct connection was established between Majek's immigration status and his actions during the trial.
