A Zimbabwean nurse, Shilyrand Charigwati, has been sentenced to life imprisonment in the United Kingdom for the murder of her two-year-old daughter, Roselyn. The 30-year-old used a plastic bag to suffocate the toddler at her home in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, in what a judge described as a twisted act of “spousal revenge” following a custody battle with her ex-partner.
Charigwati initially attempted to evade responsibility for the heinous crime, claiming she had “no recollection” of killing her daughter and attributing her actions to mental health issues. However, police investigations revealed that Charigwati had recently lost custody of Roselyn to the child’s father, providing a clear motive for the brutal act.
Mrs Justice Williams, presiding over the case at Luton Crown Court, handed down a life sentence with a minimum term of 16 years, stating that “spousal revenge” was a significant factor in the horrifying crime. “Rose was extremely vulnerable due to her age,” the judge added. “This was a shocking abuse of trust.”
The court heard that the tragic events unfolded just months after Charigwati lost custody of Roselyn. Neighbours testified that, in the days leading up to the murder, the nurse appeared to be “tired of life.” While she had previously been considered a “loving and devoted” mother, she had displayed an “unusual” amount of “anger” towards Roselyn’s father following the family court proceedings.
This simmering rage ultimately turned violent when Charigwati suffocated the toddler before contacting the police to report that she may have killed her daughter. Roselyn was immediately rushed to hospital, but tragically, medical staff were unable to save her, and she was declared dead on April 14 last year.
Charigwati initially pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, claiming she was suffering from a mental health condition. However, prosecutors argued that while she may have had a “mild to moderate” depressive illness, it was not severe enough to impair her ability to make a “rational judgment.”
The jury ultimately agreed with the prosecution, finding Charigwati guilty of murder after a trial. The verdict brought an end to a harrowing case that has shocked both the Zimbabwean and British communities.
In a moving tribute read out in court, Roselyn’s father, Washington, expressed the profound pain and grief caused by his daughter’s death. He said that “no words” could adequately convey the depth of his loss.
He described Roselyn as “joyful, funny, playful, beautiful, and so full of love,” adding that “she was the kind of daughter every parent would dream of having. She touched so many hearts wherever we went, and everyone adored her. Every part of being her dad was amazing. As her father, the pain of losing Roselyn is something I carry with me every single day. But so is the joy of having known her, held her, and loved her unconditionally. She is with me always.”
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