Man who texted friend he would 'become evil' convicted of stabbing girlfriend to death in Earl's Court flat

Published 15 October 2026, 15:49

• Deepak Sandhu, 23, was found guilty at the Old Bailey of murdering 39-year-old Xiaoqing Ke after she dumped him for stealing her money
• Sandhu concealed his identity to get inside her home, stabbed her multiple times, then tried to flee to Mumbai on a fake alibi
• 'Sandhu had become fixated on Xiaoqing and subjected her to a tirade of controlling and abusive messages,' said Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley

A man who texted a friend that he would 'become evil' was convicted of murder at the Old Bailey on Thursday, October 15, after stabbing his ex-girlfriend to death at her west London flat and then trying to flee the country.

A jury found Deepak Sandhu, 23, from Newlands Avenue, Southampton, guilty of the murder of Xiaoqing Ke, 39, who died at her home on Old Brompton Road in Earl's Court.

Officers arrested him moments before he boarded a coach to the airport.

Police were called to the Old Brompton Road address on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, over welfare concerns.

On arrival, officers found Ke's body inside the property with multiple stab wounds, according to the Metropolitan Police.

Detectives opened a murder inquiry and collected items such as mobile phones and clothing as evidence, piecing together the circumstances of the attack and identifying those who had been in contact with Ke.

Messages uncovered between Ke and Sandhu showed he had grown obsessed with her following a brief relationship.

Blood taken from the scene was forensically matched to Sandhu, identifying him as the prime suspect.

Investigators found that Sandhu had stolen money from Ke and lied to her, prompting her to try to end the relationship.

In the days before the attack, Sandhu messaged a friend discussing revenge and sent a text predicting he would 'become evil.'

On Tuesday, December 9, 2025, Sandhu travelled from Southampton to London carrying a knife after arranging to meet Ke.

He concealed his identity to gain entry to her home and stabbed her.

He remained at the address for approximately 90 minutes before leaving.

After the killing, Sandhu immediately began efforts to flee the country.

He falsely told a family member that another man had carried out the stabbing while he was present, and booked a flight to Mumbai, India.

Officers located him on Friday, December 12, 2025, stopping and cautioning him while he was on board a coach heading to the airport.

Speaking on behalf of the investigation he headed, Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley said: "Our team uncovered vital evidence which showed Sandhu had become fixated on Xiaoqing and had subjected her to a tirade of controlling and abusive messages before ultimately deciding to end her life."

"Xiaoqing should never have had to endure what happened to her either in the months before her death or in the final moments of her life," DCI Jolley said.

"Xiaoqing's family have been through an unimaginably painful time, and our thoughts remain with them."

DCI Jolley added: "Tackling violence against women and girls remains one of our key priorities, and we will do everything to identify those who carry out these offences and bring them to justice."

Sandhu was due to be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday, October 16.