Convicted rapist ‘stabbed girlfriend to death then killed himself’ in hotel room bloodbath after leaving chilling note
A CONVICTED rapist allegedly stabbed his girlfriend to death then himself in a hotel room after leaving a chilling note, an inquest heard.
Michael McGibbon, 29, was on licence from prison when he was discovered dead in the bathroom of the Hilton.
His girlfriend Chenise Gregory, also 29, was found lying in a pool of blood in the bedroom of the four-star hotel.
Officers also discovered notes McGibbon had addressed to his sister and mother, the inquest was told.
Police later confirmed they believe the May 2021 horror was a murder-suicide.
McGibbon had been convicted of raping a woman he met at a house party in 2016 and jailed for six years.
Read more news
The predator was released in 2019 but was recalled and re-released the following year on licence.
In the weeks leading up to his death, Croydon Coroner's Court heard he had become "paranoid" that people knew about his crimes.
He also told his family, police and probation officers he believed there were people who wanted to kill him.
But the court was told there was "no evidence" that his claims were real.
Most read in The Sun
On May 4, 2021, he and Chenise travelled to the Hilton Majestic Hotel in Harrogate, Yorkshire - more than 200 miles from their homes in South London.
The hotel's night manager Alan Reeding and colleague Emma Stoorey had entered the room at around 10.20pm after a guest below complained of water leaking through the ceiling.
Mr Reeding said: "We tried to get in, but there was some resistance to the door opening.
"I peered through the partially opened door, and initially I saw specks of blood on the bedding and a lot of blood on the floor.
"I called out to see if anyone was in the room, but no one answered."
The manager told the hearing how he realised Chenise's body was the "obstacle" blocking the door from opening.
He said he could see she was dead as there was "a lot of blood around her".
Mr Reeding added: "I moved into the room, stepping over the woman's body, and I went into the bathroom.
"The bath was running and the shower was also on. There was a man sitting on the floor. He also was dead.
"It was a truly horrific sight."
You're Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, , 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,
- HUMEN
- Mind, , 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus,, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans,, 116 123
Detective Chief Inspector Jonathon Sygrove said the "initial hypothesis" was McGibbon had taken Chenise to the hotel "to kill her and then take his own life".
He said he agrees with the theory and confirmed there was no third party involvement.
An inquest into Chenise's death will take place separately later this year.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Ruling a conclusion of suicide, Assistant Coroner Edmund Gritt said McGibbon "deliberately"; stabbed himself after he "succumbed to false paranoid beliefs that others intended to harm him".
The coroner said this was despite there being "no formal medical diagnosis of mental health conditions associated with paranoia".
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
