Oxford, England – A woman accused of murder is facing trial after allegedly torturing and killing a cat and then later being linked to the death of a man whose body was found in the River Cherwell.
The victim, Jorge Carreno, was discovered in July 2021 at Parson’s Pleasure in Oxford. According to the prosecution, Scarlet Blake, 25, allegedly livestreamed the killing of a cat months before, displaying concerning behavior that would later tie her to the tragic death of Mr. Carreno.
Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC stated that Mr. Carreno, a Spanish national working at the Mini plant, had been out drinking with colleagues after Covid restrictions had been lifted but later became separated from his friends. It was alleged that Ms. Blake, known previously as Alice Wang, had a “fixation with violence and with knowing what it would feel like to kill someone”, and she met Mr. Carreno and offered him a bottle of vodka at the Radcliffe Camera in Oxford.
Under CCTV footage, they were seen walking through the city together before going to Parson’s Pleasure, where Mr. Carreno was later found dead in the river. The vodka bottle lid found at the scene had the defendant’s DNA on it, linking her to the crime.
In addition to the alleged livestreamed cat killing, the prosecution presented evidence of Ms. Blake’s extreme fascination with death and harm, indicating a pattern of concerning behavior. The court also heard about videos in her possession highlighting her interest in strangulation, prompting the doctor who carried out the post-mortem examination to reconsider the evidence.
Mr. Carreno’s death prompted a police investigation, during which the public was asked to identify the person seen with him on CCTV. The prosecution argued that Ms. Blake did not present herself as a witness despite numerous police appeals, adding to the suspicion surrounding her involvement in the case.
The case and the concerning behaviors displayed by the accused have raised questions about the prevalence of disturbing online content and its potential influence on real-world violence. This trial will continue to shed light on the impact of digital content on individuals’ behavior and the implications for criminal investigations.