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Adrian Ellingford, a 44-year-old father of two, was killed in his sleep in a senseless act of violence.
His murderer, 26-year-old Marek Hecko, was arrested after returning to the crime scene while intoxicated, claiming he "knew what happened."
Who is Adrian Ellingford?
Adrian was described by his wife, Laura, as an "amazing husband, a loving son, and a truly brilliant father" to their two sons, aged 10 and 12.
He was known for his kindness and willingness to help others, making his murder a shocking tragedy.
His killer Marko Hecko was a 26-year-old from Chelmsford.
He had been in a relationship with Adrian’s partner before the murder.
Following their breakup, Hecko displayed obsessive and stalking behaviors towards his ex.
He frequently showed up uninvited at her workplace and home
He also bombarded her with unsolicited messages and videos.
His inability to move on from the relationship ultimately culminated in the tragedy.
On the night of July 25, 2022, Marko Hecko's obsession took a violent turn.
After consuming two bottles of wine, he walked to the home of his ex, armed with a knife from his own kitchen.
Hecko broke into the property and stabbed Adrian twice in the back while he slept beside Hecko's ex-girlfriend.
One of the knife wounds proved fatal, as Adrian collapsed after alerting his partner to an intruder.
The knife handle, which snapped during the attack, was left at the scene.
It had Hecko's DNA, which later became a critical piece of evidence in the case.
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| Marek Hecko's mugshot. |
Investigation
Essex Police launched an intensive murder investigation into the murder.
They gathered hours of CCTV footage, statements, and forensic evidence.
In a bizarre twist, Marko Hecko returned to the crime scene even as detectives were still investigating.
Heavily intoxicated and carrying a bottle of brandy, he approached a police officer at the scene, claiming he "knew what happened."
Bodycam footage captured Hecko’s drunken confession, where he bizarrely declared, "This city is mine."
He also insisted the police needed him to solve the case.
His slurred speech, erratic behavior, and attempts to involve himself in the investigation immediately raised suspicions.
He was arrested on the spot.
Further investigation revealed Hecko's DNA on the knife handle left at the scene.
His erratic confession and history of stalking quickly made him the prime suspect.
During the investigation, Hecko claimed he learned about the murder from the news.
However, detectives confirmed this was false, as the story had not yet been reported.
Hecko’s obsessive behavior towards his ex-partner was the underlying motive for the murder.
Unable to accept her moving on with Adrian, Hecko’s fixation escalated into a lethal act of rage and jealousy.
On March 13, 2023, Chelmsford Crown Court found Marek Hecko guilty of Adrian Ellingford’s murder.
The jury took less than a day to convict him.
Hecko was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 26 years before eligibility for parole.
Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, who led the investigation, described the crime as "senseless."
"I hope Adrian’s loved ones can find closure knowing Hecko is behind bars," he added.
Adrians wife of 17 years, Laura Ellingford delivered a poignant victim impact statement in court, highlighting the deep void Adrian’s death has left.
Her words painted a vivid picture of the devastating ripple effect of Adrian’s murder.
Through the diligent efforts of Essex Police and the judicial system, Adrian’s family received a measure of justice.
However, the pain of his absence will forever linger.
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