New details have emerged about Edward Tenniswood, the man found guilty of raping and murdering Aussie woman India Chipchase in London.
In the 52-year-old’s belongings was a number of photograph of and newspaper clippings of famous women, including model, Heather Stewart-Whyte, who bears a striking resemblance to his victim.
In court, Tenniswood claimed he had a relationship with the woman in the 1980s, and that the photo was a momento. However according to The Mirror, Stewart-Whyte issued a statement after the trial stating she didn’t know the defendant and “never had any kind of relationship with him”.
During the court case, Tenniswood was asked why he kept the photographs and clippings, which also included photos of other famous women.
“I’m always hoarding magazines and newspapers, clippings,” he told the court. “These individuals are extremely similar to ex-girlfriends of mine.”
“Rather than just have the whole place covered in dusty dust sheets, they’re ornaments, memories of ex-girlfriends. Nothing more interesting than that.”
“I’ve had a hugely unsuccessful life but have been very lucky and had some very attractive ex-girfriends,” he continued, reports The Daily Mail. “Including one, I am not ashamed to say, who is the fashion model Heather Stewart-Whyte, who went on to get married with Yannick Noah and have two kids.”
The Aussie woman was found dead in Tenniswood’s bed after CCTV footage showed her visibly intoxicated before the man lures her into a taxi.
Chipchase was found with over dozens of injuries to her body after she was raped, beaten and strangled to death, according to The Sun.
Despite trying to argue that the sex was consensual and her injuries were a result of his his “over-eagerness” in bed, he was found guilty of her murder and sentenced to 30 years for murder and 12 for rape.