Hammer And Machete Killer Who Murdered Partner And Their Toddler Daughter Caged For 35-Year Minimum

A father-of-five living a double-life, who killed his partner of eighteen years and their toddler daughter in a bloody hammer and machete attack when told to leave, is starting a life sentence.

Roland McKoy, 54, of Oswald's Mead, Lindisfarne Way, Hackney battered 45 year-old Valerie Forde's head seventeen times with the hammer and used the blade to slash 22-month old Real-Jahzara McKoy's throat.

He was convicted at the Old Bailey of murdering both of them at the family home on March 31 and must serve a minimum of thirty-five years.

Investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Charles King, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: "Research has shown that women are at greatest risk of homicide at the point of separation or after leaving a violent partner.

“What Roland McKoy did on that day in March almost defies belief, but it is a stark warning that extreme violence within such relationships is a very real possibility. 



"McKoy lost control as the reality hit home that Valerie was adamant he must leave and carried out a horrific attack with a variety of weapons.

“Not only did he vent his fury at his partner but he also killed his baby daughter." 



The court heard the couple's relationship broke down in December 2013 and Valerie told McKoy he must move out of their home by March 31.

That morning McKoy showed no signs of leaving and the couple, who had three children together, argued.

Valerie called her eldest daughter who heard shouting and then screaming and called police.

At one point she heard McKoy say: "This is the destruction that you have brought onto the family."



Officers arrived and forced entry and they found Valerie, Real-Jahzara and McKoy all on the third floor of the house.

Valerie and her daughter were not breathing and had obvious injuries.

McKoy was lying in a foetal position on the floor next to a hammer, machete and screwdriver.

He had minor self-inflicted wounds plus internal injuries from drinking household bleach.



The court heard that McKoy had attacked Valerie with the hammer, striking her head at least 17 times.

He had slashed her face and neck with the machete and stabbed her with the screwdriver.

He also used the machete to cut his daughter across her neck.



He wrote a note which he left on Valerie's face, accusing her of "dirty tricks" and blaming her for the attack.



Enquiries revealed the couple's relationship had begin to deteriorate in 1999 after Valerie discovered McKoy had been living a double life and was still married to another woman, by whom he had two children.



Their relationship hit more difficult patches over the next decade with McKoy jailed for drugs and benefit offences and Valerie unhappy that he did not contribute to the household, either financially or by helping around the home.



About six months before she was murdered, Valerie, a centre manager for the Hackney Marsh Partnership, told McKoy he had to contribute £150 each month to the household or leave.



By December 2013 she had told him their relationship was over and gave him three months to find somewhere else to live.



Valerie's family said today: "No matter how many years he receives it will not bring Valerie and Jahzara back.

“The pain will still continue for our family for the rest of our lives.

“His actions have destroyed the lives of Valerie and Jahzara's family, friends and the wider community in Hackney. Their deaths will not be in vain."