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A man and his teenage girlfriend have been found guilty of murdering an Irish dancer after poisoning him with a drug called “Devil’s Breath.”
Joel Osei, 25, and his partner Diana Cristea, 18, killed Adrian Murphy, 43, whose body was found on the victim’s 17th floor in Battersea, southwest London, in June last year.
As part of their plan, the couple had used profiles on the gay dating app Grindr to befriend Mr. Murphy and other men in order to drug them with scopolamine, known as’Devil’s breath‘- and then steal them.
At Croydon Crown Court, the couple were also convicted of administering a poison or noxious substance to endanger life.
Osei had previously pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, administering poison with the intent to harm, aggravate, or annoy, two counts of theft and eight counts of fraud.
Adrian Murphy was found dead on his 17th floor in Battersea. Photo: Met Police
Cristea, for her part, was also convicted of administering poison with the intent to injure, aggravate or annoy, two counts of theft and eight counts of fraud. She had admitted two counts of handling stolen goods and one count of fraud.
Prosecutors said the “devil’s breath” drug, which comes from Colombian borracheros trees, is “popular with thieves and rapists” as it is used to incapacitate victims.
Friday’s convictions come after a long wait while the trial was postponed earlier this year amid the coronavirus lockdown.
They relate to the murder of Mr. Murphy and also to the poisoning of another man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons.
The court heard how the second man had been treated by paramedics several days before Mr. Murphy’s death after Osei also drugged and robbed him.
Osei and Cristea used the man’s data to try to buy diamonds worth $ 80,000 (£ 62,000) in New York, which ultimately failed.
Mr. Murphy was drugged with scopolamine. Photo: Met Police
Murphy’s brother Robert said that his brother had been an “inspiring Irishman” and said the death had “left a great void” in the family.
Speaking after the verdict, he said: “The world is full of equality, but this cannot be said of our brother Adrian.
“Adrian brought the love and art of dance to thousands of young people around the world.
“He made so many loyal friends that they are very saddened by his untimely death as he was an inspiring Irishman, a talented dancer and choreographer.”
Murphy then went on to describe his “very funny” brother as a man who could “make everyone laugh at his funny stories,” adding, “He had the gift of bringing people together.
“Adrian loved his hometown of Kilkenny and although he was a regular world traveler, he never missed an opportunity to return to his family and friends.
“Adrian’s legacy is that of a hero and hopefully his tragic death has prevented this from happening to any other innocent victim.
“Now he is dancing among the stars. May he rest in peace.”
Osei and Cristea, both from north London, will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on December 14.
