North London, England — Linda Westcarr grapples daily with the unthinkable: explaining to her young granddaughter that her mother has been killed. The weight of this reality looms over her, merging grief with a staunch determination for justice. “One day, I’ll have to tell her: ‘Daddy killed your mummy,’” Westcarr said, her voice heavy with sorrow. “Right now, I’m still processing the horror of it. It feels like everything is spinning around me, and I can’t seem to find time to grieve.”
Westcarr’s daughter, Kennedi Westcarr-Sabaroche, was just 25 when her life was tragically cut short in April 2024. Strangled by her partner, Gogoa Tape, the violent act has shattered her family. Westcarr recalls her daughter’s vibrant spirit, describing her as “a beacon of light” who lived life to the fullest, cherishing her role in a caring profession while nurturing a close-knit family. “We were so compatible. It’s as if I’ve lost my right arm,” Westcarr reflected, her words filled with a deep yearning.
In the aftermath of Kennedi’s death, a painful reality emerged. Initially charged with murder, Tape’s charges were unexpectedly reduced to manslaughter due to diminished responsibility—a decision based on psychiatric assessments that Westcarr disputes. “Justice has not been served,” she stated, expressing disbelief that the legal system accepted such a plea. “He showed no remorse and continues to have a say in our granddaughter’s life.”
The transition from murder to manslaughter has left Westcarr and her family in a state of disillusionment. The psychiatric evaluations, conducted months after the incident, concluded that Tape lacked the ability to control his actions at the time. A judge noted that while his responsibility was diminished, there was no evidence that his psychosis was directly caused by substance use. “The evidence of his mental illness is flimsy and inadequate,” Westcarr asserted. “He lived with us and even called me ‘mum’; I saw no signs of mental illness during that time.”
Despite the domestic violence Kennedi faced, including intense emotional manipulation from Tape, police investigations fell short. Linda recalls her worries about Tape’s behavior leading up to the tragedy, revealing a troubling pattern of intimidation and coercion. “Kennedi wanted out of that relationship, but he was pulling tighter,” she said, remembering her daughter’s fear as she sought to break free. The community’s response, as well as systemic failures, further complicates the family’s quest for justice, leaving them in anguish amidst unanswered questions.
Westcarr, determined to ensure her granddaughter has a safe and loving environment, reflected on the lack of support available for families left behind by domestic violence. “We’re living in a world where the perpetrator gets resources and treatment, while the victim’s family is left to fend for themselves,” she lamented.
Her home is adorned with photos of Kennedi, a living memorial for the child who still longs for her mother. “Every day, I thank God for my granddaughter,” Westcarr shared. “She asks for her mum and breaks my heart when she says, ‘I didn’t want Mummy to die.’ I tell her to talk to her mum whenever she wants.”
Though the grief is overwhelming, Westcarr strives to honor her daughter’s memory and advocate for necessary changes in the legal system. “Lessons must be learned,” she declared. “This situation cannot happen again. Those guilty of domestic violence must face justice for the safety of others.” The family hopes that shining a light on their experience may spark essential conversations and actions to protect future victims of domestic abuse.