‘Fantasist’ Jailed for Life After Killing Woman at London Airbnb in Planned Revenge Attack

A 24-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering a woman at an Airbnb in west London after she discovered his lies, confronted him over stolen money, and ended their relationship. Deepak Sandhu was ordered to serve a minimum of 28 years behind bars for the killing of Xiaoqing Ke, a 39-year-old Chinese national, in a case prosecutors described as a calculated act of revenge.

The court heard that Sandhu had entered the United Kingdom in September 2024 on a student visa to study at a university in Southampton. However, his visa was later revoked after he dropped out of his course because of poor attendance. Despite his circumstances, Sandhu allegedly presented a very different picture of his life to Ke, claiming he was a successful model and actor. He also invented stories about traveling to the United States for an audition and attending a university graduation ceremony that did not exist.

Ke and Sandhu had met in Southampton and developed a secret relationship, communicating through a translation app because they spoke different languages. They remained in contact after Ke moved to London. But their relationship deteriorated when Ke discovered that Sandhu had taken £500 from her handbag. When she confronted him and demanded the money back, she also challenged the stories he had told her and made it clear that she no longer trusted him.

Prosecutors told the Old Bailey that Sandhu became increasingly angry after Ke rejected him. In messages presented during the trial, he questioned whether he should take revenge on her and reportedly warned someone connected to her former workplace that she would regret what had happened. Although he pleaded with Ke to give him another chance and promised to repay the money, the prosecution said his actions showed that he could not accept her decision to end the relationship.

On December 9, 2025, Sandhu traveled from Southampton to Earl’s Court in west London after buying a knife. Doorbell camera footage captured him arriving at Ke’s Airbnb bedsit with his face covered and wearing a baseball cap. He left around 90 minutes later. The following day, Ke was found dead on the bedroom floor, having suffered severe injuries, including a fatal stab wound to the neck.

Sandhu denied murdering Ke during the trial. He claimed she was still alive when he left the property and suggested that another person had been involved. However, the jury rejected his account and found him guilty of murder and perverting the course of justice. After the killing, Sandhu had contacted his sister in India and booked a flight from Birmingham to Mumbai. He was arrested on December 12, 2025, while traveling by coach from Southampton toward Birmingham Airport.

When sentencing Sandhu, Judge Philip Katz KC described the lies he had told Ke and others as manipulative, controlling, and cruel. The judge said the killing had been carefully planned and that Sandhu had acted in revenge because Ke would no longer accept his behavior. The life sentence means he must serve at least 28 years before he can be considered for parole; release is not automatic.

Ke’s death has left her family devastated. In a statement presented to the court, her sister described the family’s profound grief and sense of injustice, saying they had hoped Ke was approaching a period when her difficulties might ease. Prosecutors said the evidence, including messages and footage placing Sandhu at the scene, helped establish his responsibility despite his repeated denials. The case has also renewed attention to the devastating consequences of possessive behavior and violence against women when a relationship ends.

Source: The Sun