Mother Jailed for Life After Drowning Two Sons While High on Cannabis

A 47-year-old mother, Kara Alexander, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of her two young sons, whom she drowned in a bathtub before tucking their lifeless bodies into bed for their father to discover. The tragic incident took place in December 2022 at the family’s home in Dagenham, East London.

Alexander, a habitual user of high-potency cannabis known as skunk, was convicted by a jury at Kingston Crown Court after six hours and 54 minutes of deliberation. She will serve a minimum of 21 years and 252 days behind bars.

During sentencing, Justice Bennathan warned about the dangers of super-strength cannabis, stating it can trigger severe mental health crises. “On the proper medical definition, I accept that it was cannabis-induced psychosis,” the judge noted. “Every day, you will remember and grieve the little boys whose lives you snatched away.”

The victims, Elijah Thomas (2) and Marley Thomas (5), were discovered by their father, Selvin Thomas, who had grown concerned after receiving no communication from Alexander. Upon visiting the home, she initially told him the boys were asleep upstairs before slamming the door. After forcing entry, Thomas found both children cold and unresponsive on their bunk bed.

“She was able to brutally end the lives of two innocent children, put them in the bed, and wait calmly for me,” Thomas said in a heart-wrenching victim impact statement read in court. “I believe Kara’s intention was to frame me for the murders and somehow present herself as a victim.”

Alexander had previously experienced a psychotic episode in 2016. Despite this, she continued heavy cannabis use, which, according to the court, was known to members of her social circle — none of whom intervened.

Alexander was arrested shortly after fleeing the scene. She claimed the boys drowned accidentally after she left them unsupervised while smoking cannabis. The court, however, found her guilty on two counts of murder, dismissing her claims and arguments of diminished responsibility.

Justice Bennathan condemned the breach of maternal trust as “shocking” and noted that despite having no prior convictions, her actions stood in stark contrast to any claim of past caregiving. The deaths of Marley and Elijah — also known affectionately as Teddy — have left a lasting scar on the family and community.