21-year-old man pleads guilty for murdering 45-year-old mother-of-2, found strangled to death in the bushes and “beaten to death” after she was seized from the street

  • Maria Rawlings, the body, was found in Little Heath (Romford). 
  • After-mortem exam revealed she was strangled, and had suffered severe head injuries.
  • Valentin Lazar, who admitted to today’s Old Bailey killing Mrs Rawlings in Mai, was charged with murder by Valentin Lazar 










Today, a 21-year old man pleaded guilty in the murder of a mother-of-two who was strangled to death and beat to death by a suspect after being seized from the street.  

Valentin Lazar 21, confessed that he had murdered Maria Rawlings 45 years ago. Her body was discovered in Little Heath (Romford) in May of this year.

A post-mortem examination gave the preliminary cause for her death as neck compression and blunt force head trauma.

In her wake, Mrs Rawlings’ family placed flowers near the place where her body was discovered. A message with one bouquet read: ‘Mummy. Your love is unconditional. 

‘In this s*** world you made things brighter. Forever my angel. Your big baby.’ 

Maria Jane Rawlings (pictured above), 45, from Chelmsford, Essex, was found dead in Little Heath, Romford, by a man who was walking his dog in May

Maria Jane Rawlings (pictured below), 45, of Chelmsford Essex, was discovered dead by an unidentified man walking his dog in May. 

Detectives believe Mrs Rawlings was attacked after she left King George Hospital

Detectives think Mrs Rawlings was attacked shortly after leaving King George Hospital

Flowers left at Little Health in Romford where Ms Rawlings was found dead. A message attached to one bouquet read: 'Mummy. I love you now, forever and always'

Flowers sent to Little Health Romford. Ms Rawlings was later found dead. One bouquet contained a message that read, “Mummy.” Your love is unconditional.

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