Aman Vyas: Serial 'night stalker' rapist, killer jailed for life 10 years and 1,100 DNA tests later
A murderer and serial rapist dubbed “night stalker” has been awarded a life sentence for killing one Michelle Samaraweera in 2009. Aman Vyas, an Indian-native, was extradited to the UK to face trial for the murder of Samaraweera committed more than a decade ago after sexually assaulting her. He was given a minimum of 37 years in jail at Croydon Crown Court.
The 35-year-old raped four women including Samaraweera between March and May 2009. Vyas was sent to prison after also being found guilty of rape and causing grievous bodily harm with intent. In the first half of the year 2009, the rapist left the women of Walthamstow, East London, terrified as he turned a small area near his home into a "hunting ground" for violent rapes.
However, Vyas’ crimes turned more violent when on May 30, 2009, he preyed on Samaraweera as she left a supermarket. He not only raped her in a children's playground but also strangled her and left her body only to be discovered later by a dog walker. Justice Bryan who sentenced Vyas said: “In the spring of 2009, there was a stranger rapist prowling the streets of Walthamstow looking for his prey. You were that rapist. You were willing to kill in pursuit of your sexual perversions and in Michelle you found a victim who fought back. She had to be silenced and silenced she was."
According to reports, Vyas fled to India soon after an e-fit was shown on Crimewatch in 2009. He evaded arrest until 2011 when his former employer gave cops a water bottle used by Vyas' brother which gave a DNA link to the crimes. In 2019, he became only the third person India sent to the UK after an eight-year court battle involving around 30 hearings.
Speaking on the verdict, Samaraweera's sister Ann Chandradasa said: "I actually really thought that he was literally going to get away with murder because of the amount of time he was in India and the number of hearings. I'm just glad we have finally got justice for Michelle and I'm glad that the other victims have got justice as well. It's partial closure. Him being in prison doesn't take away the pain of what's happened and what all these women have been through."
Detective Sergeant Shaleena Sheikh said, “Vyas carried out horrific and violent attacks on four women which, tragically, culminated in the murder of Michelle Samaraweera. He then did all he could to evade responsibility for his crimes and fled to India. He added further distress to those he hurt by subjecting them to a trial. I would like to commend the dignity and bravery shown by his victims and their families throughout this process, which has lasted over 10 years.
“Despite having DNA from the scenes of the crimes, Vyas was not on the database and this prompted a lengthy and complex investigation, which saw more than 1,100 DNA swabs taken and 1,815 addresses visited. We also issued more than 60,500 posters displaying an image of the suspect. The scale of this investigation has been remarkable and the case has lasted a decade, taking our inquiries to many different countries and resulting in a lengthy extradition process."