Man Sentenced to 21 Years for the Murder of His Mother, Dismissing Her Injuries as Ill Health

Steffon Hewitt, aged 51, of Blake’s Road, Peckham, has been sentenced to a minimum of 21 years in prison after being convicted of murdering his 68-year-old mother, Vanita Nowell, in March 2020. The sentencing took place at Isleworth Crown Court on Tuesday, 16 April, following a guilty verdict delivered in February.

The case unfolded when emergency services were called to Hewitt’s home on Sunday, 8 March 2020. Hewitt reported finding his mother unresponsive on the bathroom floor. Despite his claims of performing CPR, which he suggested might have broken a few of her ribs, the arriving London Ambulance Service team found Vanita already deceased.

Police say after the murder, he wrapped his mother, Viola Clardy, in blankets and hid her body in the woods. Detective Constable Nick Stocking, who was part of the investigative team, shared details of the brutal reality behind Vanita’s death. He stated, “Hewitt showed no remorse when killing his mother by inflicting significant and extensive injuries, resulting in what would have been a painful death.”

The autopsy revealed 28 fresh rib fractures and six spine fractures, along with severe bruising on her face, head, and body, and a traumatic brain injury, reported WFIE. Originally, Hewitt attributed his mother’s extensive injuries to frequent falls, claiming they were exacerbated by her dementia. However, this defense was dismantled by a combination of forensic and medical evidence that clearly demonstrated the injuries could not have been the result of falls or CPR attempts.

Detective Stocking further commented on the nature of the attack and the subsequent investigation, stating, “This was a vicious attack but Hewitt attempted to blame it on his mother’s constant falling due to her dementia. A combination of forensic and medical evidence proved this was not true and it is reflected in today’s sentencing.”

The conviction and sentencing of Hewitt have brought some closure to a harrowing case, highlighting the severe consequences of domestic violence and the importance of thorough forensic investigations in uncovering the truth behind claims of accidental harm.