Stepney Green birthday party murder: Woman convicted

Hope Rowe, of Piazza Walk in Aldgate, attacked Charlotte Lawlor with a knife during the party in Duckett Street on September 15, 2024.

The 33-year-old carried the attack in front of Charlotte’s family, children, and guests.

Police were called just after 1am to reports of a serious assault and carried out first aid before medics arrived.

However she was pronounced dead within an hour.

Charlotte Lawlor was killed in the attack (Image: Met Police) Charlotte had been stabbed by Rowe following an argument at the party, who then drove away from the scene with her partner Leigh Holder.

Armed police stopped Holder’s car at 2.10am and he told them that Rowe had jumped out the car shortly after leaving the crime scene, claiming he had no knowledge of her location.

Holder was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Rowe later went to Bethnal Green Police Station at 7am and she was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Hope Rowe has been convicted (Image: Met Police) At interview, she provided no comment – and she later claimed in court that her actions were due to a momentary loss of control.

Officers found a voicemail accidently left by Holder on Rowe’s phone while he was sitting next to her and driving away from the scene.

She was heard telling him that it was “good” she had killed Charlotte,  while Holder instructed his partner to dispose of the knife and to avoid the police.

Rowe was found guilty at the Inner London Crown Court on Friday (June 15).

Holder, 38, also of Piazza Walk in Aldgate, was convicted of perverting the course of justice.

Leigh Holder was in the car with Rowe (Image: Met Police) In a statement, the victim’s parents said: “We are happy with the verdict. We would like to thank the jury for their attention during the trial.

“The family will never get over the loss and murder of Charlotte. It has destroyed us, leaving a gaping hole. Charlotte’s son, Riley, has been left without a mum, and siblings without their older sister and best friend.

“Charlotte brought light to everyone’s life.”

Detective Sergeant Dean Musgrove, from the Met Police’s Specialist Crime North unit, said: “As if the killing was not senseless enough, Rowe then tried to deceive investigators, disposing of the knife before turning herself in.

"It still has not been found to this day, and both Rowe and her partner were incriminated by a voicemail accidentally recorded on Rowe’s phone.”