A twisted 40-year-old man has pleaded guilty to stabbing his ex-girlfriend to death after their brief romance ended.
Adedapo Adegbola brutally attacked Steph Irons, a 23-year-old university student, as he visited her address in Mapperly, Nottingham, United Kingdom, on October 21 last year.
Her body was discovered after her colleagues raised the alarm when a series of “concerning messages” were sent to them.
Police confirmed the pair’s relationship had come to an end before the horror killing.
Adegbola appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday, where he pleaded guilty to murder.
He and Steph had been in a relationship after meeting as co-workers, but had recently split.
Emergency crews were scrambled to Steph’s home at around 10.07 pm, where they discovered the student with knife wounds in her living room.
Tragically, she could not be saved and was declared dead at the scene.
Meanwhile, Adegbola had fled the home, leaving behind a trail of discarded evidence on the streets of Mapperley and Carlton.
This included blood-stained trainers and a jumper, Nottingham Police said.
The killer then travelled to Mansfield, Worksop, Sheffield and finally to Hull before eventually handing himself into police.
Despite answering “no comment” in interviews with officers, police were able to piece together his movements before and after the murder.
Adegbola has been remanded into custody ahead of sentencing on February 5.
Detective Inspector Stuart Barson, lead investigator of the case, said: “This is a tragic case in which a caring and compassionate young woman was taken away in horrific circumstances.
“Following the attack on Miss Irons, Adegbola made no attempt to call for an ambulance, and was concerned only with getting away from the scene and attempting to dispose of vital evidence.
“I want to thank Miss Irons’ family for the incredible strength that they have shown through this process.
“I hope that this outcome assists Steph’s family in coming to terms with such a dreadful loss.”
Paying tribute previously, Steph’s family said she had an “infectious smile and laugh which lit up any room she walked into”.
They added: “She was a beautiful, loving and caring daughter, sister, niece, cousin and friend. She had a compassion for others and would always see good in everybody.
“She had a huge heart and wore it on her sleeve.
“Her ambition to be a psychologist was well on the way after gaining both a degree and masters in clinical psychology. After gaining experience, she was about to apply for her doctorate in clinical psychology.
“Our bright young star has had her future taken away and while we can’t comprehend what has happened, she will be forever with us.”
