Arsonist murdered neighbour and her unborn child
An arsonist who killed his pregnant neighbour by torching her apartment block in the middle of the night faces jail.
Lillo Troisi, 48, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Khabi Abrey, 30, in a fire on the ninth floor of the building owned by Southend Borough Council in Westcliff, Essex.
Mrs Abrey was in the later stages of pregnancy when the blaze started at around 11.15pm on Saturday 7 May this year at Grampian Flats in Balmoral Road.
Troisi set the fire in the communal hallway close to the front door of the home Mrs Abrey shared with her husband Stuart – also known as Judah – who was not there at the time of the incident.
Nigerian born Mrs Abrey was found collapsed near her front door at number 53.
Troisi lived at number 47 in the same block.
Mrs Abrey was rushed to Southend hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation but died on 9 May.
Her unborn child died of cardiac arrest.
Fourteen people, including an eight-week-old baby, were evacuated from the ninth floor while firefighters battled the blaze.
Troisi was originally charged with murder but the prosecution accepted a plea to the lesser offence of manslaughter following a review of the evidence.
He also pleaded guilty to simple arson rather than the more serious charge of arson with intent to endanger life.
Prosecutor Simon Spence QC said: ‘It seems to the Crown they are acceptable pleas. Proving murder is always difficult and the arson is completely subsumed by the manslaughter reflecting the mechanism by which Mrs Abrey tragically died.’
The judge, Mrs Justice McGowan, said: ‘I agree that this is an appropriate course in this case.’
The Old Bailey heard Troisi’s team has submitted a psychiatric report suggesting he be sentence to a hospital order rather than a prison term.
Mr Spence asked for time to obtain a prosecution psychiatric report.
Mrs Justice McGowan adjourned sentence until later this month on a date yet to be confirmed.
She told Troisi: ‘I need to decide whether you will go to prison or to hospital.’
Jobless Troisi had previously denied murder, child destruction, arson with intent to endanger life and an alternative count of arson being reckless as to whether life is endangered. These counts were left on file.
Mr Abrey sat in court as the guilty pleas were entered.
He previously gave a statement reading: ‘I didn’t know a human being could be so pure and perfect. She is literally an angel.
‘Where she is now I know she is still alive, still that beautiful person, and still loves me as I still love her.
‘I know we will be together again when the right time comes for there is no end to life or love.’
In a Facebook tribute, Joy Munya Munemo wrote: ‘Stolen from this troubled earth. Your soul at a better place.’
Atupele Kapisa said: ‘God Comfort your husband during this difficult time.
‘Your smile was always bright rest in peace beautiful empress.’
Lavy Lev wrote: ‘To say that I am lost for words would be an understatement.
‘The very first moment I met you and Juda, I fell in love with your spirit.
‘You were a truly amazing women who most definitely touched me and everyone
around you.’
A Go Fund Me page set up by friends to help support Stuart and Khabi’s grieving family
raised more than £1,000 in a single day.
