A mother who drowned her two young sons in the bath after smoking cannabis has been sentenced to life in prison. Kara Alexander, 47, from Dagenham, east London, killed Elijah Thomas, two, and Marley Thomas, five, in their home on December 15, 2022. The judge, Mr Justice Bennathan, described the scene of the children’s father finding his sons deceased next to each other as “the stuff of nightmares”. Alexander was sentenced at Kingston Crown Court to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 21 years and 252 days.
During the sentencing, the judge highlighted that Alexander was in a psychotic state induced by cannabis when she committed the tragic act. He mentioned that she had been smoking cannabis every night for weeks leading up to the incident. The judge acknowledged that Alexander had drowned her sons deliberately and had possibly held them under water for up to a minute or two. However, he also noted that he could not determine if her intention was pre-meditated.
The court heard that after drowning her sons, Alexander dried them, changed them into clean pyjamas, and laid them together in their bunk bed under duvets. The following morning, the boys’ father discovered the heartbreaking scene. The judge emphasised that there were no signs of violence from Alexander towards her children before the tragic event on December 15. He mentioned that Alexander was considered a caring and affectionate mother by those who knew her.
Mr Justice Bennathan concluded that Alexander was in a psychotic state induced by cannabis at the time of the incident. He noted that she had a previous psychotic episode in 2016, possibly triggered by cannabis use. The judge also criticised Alexander’s social circle for not warning her about the risks of heavy cannabis use, especially while caring for young children. He highlighted the vulnerability of her sons due to their age and the betrayal of trust that children should have in their parents.
In his sentencing remarks, the judge issued a warning about the dangers of drug use, particularly the use of potent strains of cannabis. He stressed the risks of mental health crises that could lead to harm to oneself or others. The judge hoped that raising awareness about the consequences of drug use would prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. He acknowledged that while the case was a profound tragedy, bringing attention to the risks of drug-induced psychosis might serve as a small silver lining.
The sentencing of Kara Alexander for the murder of her two young sons has left a community devastated and serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of drug use. The judge’s remarks about the dangers of cannabis-induced psychosis and the need for heightened awareness around drug use aim to educate and protect individuals, especially those in vulnerable positions like young children. It is a tragic story that highlights the importance of mental health awareness and responsible drug consumption in society.