This is the first picture of a 'caring and loving' chef whose dead body was dumped in an abandoned garage in Shrewsbury. Alexis De Naray, 45, was killed in a brutal attack at the hands of homeless man Adam Rowson, 26.
Alexis had been admitted to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for treatment after he collapsed on June 23 last year. During the early hours of the next day, Mr. De Naray met Rowson at the hospital. Rowson offered his victim a place to stay, even though they did not know each other and had never met before.
The pair, both alcoholics, made their way to an abandoned building near the Shelton water tower in Shrewsbury, where Rowson was living. Rowson called the non-emergency police number 101, claiming he had found a man dead in the attic of the building at about 11:45 a.m. on June 27. Rowson remained at the scene as emergency services arrived, West Mercia Police said.
He later told officers that he and the victim had got into an altercation several days earlier and he left him there. Mr. De Naray suffered a number of serious injuries, including a brain injury and broken ribs, none of which were determined to have caused his death.
A murder probe established that Rowson had been using the victim's bank cards days after his death to buy alcohol, scratchcards, food, clothes, and travel tickets. He also withdrew cash from the account. West Mercia Police said: "It is not known exactly when Alexis was murdered, but officers believe it was either late Tuesday evening (June 24) or early Wednesday morning (June 25) based on Rowson's behaviour."
Rowson, of no fixed abode, was convicted by jurors of murder following a 12-day trial at Stafford Crown Court earlier this year. He was jailed for life, with a minimum term of 16 years, on Wednesday, May 6.
In a statement read to the court, the victim's younger brother Alexandros De Naray said his sibling was "one of the most caring and loving people I have ever known." He said: "He was my best friend; I loved him more than I could ever explain. I think every day how I can never see him again and one of the people I loved most in the world has been taken away from me in such a horrible way. I can only hope he felt no pain in his last moments and he is now at peace."
The victim's father, Constantine De Naray, said his son was "funny, kind, thoughtful, generous and a loving son." He said: "My wonderful boy did not deserve to lose his life. He was a dear son who we will forever miss. He was a very talented chef who worked in London until he became unwell and moved to Shrewsbury to be close to family. He was gradually getting better when he sadly lost his life. No parent should have to bury a child, more especially in these horrendous circumstances."
