Mother and daughter seeking better life in UK murdered by man met online

A mother and her young daughter, who had moved to the United Kingdom seeking a better life, tragically fell victim to a brutal murder at the hands of a man they trusted after meeting him online. Benylyn Burke, 25, and her two-year-old daughter, Jellica Burke, were lured to the home of Andrew Innes in Dundee, Scotland, which became a "house of horror" where they met their tragic end.

According to Shela Aquino, Benylyn's sister in the Philippines, Innes appeared via video call during their journey. The horrific details of the crime emerged during the trial: Innes murdered Benylyn with a hammer and a samurai sword before sexually assaulting and strangling Jellica. The Edinburgh High Court sentenced Innes to life imprisonment in 2022, with a minimum term of 36 years.

Shela Aquino expressed her anguish, stating, "My sister bravely left to find a better future for herself and her daughter in the UK. Instead, she experienced the worst brutality from someone she trusted. I live in agony thinking about their final moments." The sisters had grown up in the Philippines under difficult circumstances but remained close.

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My sister bravely left to find a better future for herself and her daughter in the UK. Instead, she experienced the worst brutality from someone she trusted. I live in agony thinking about their final moments.

Benylyn had moved to the UK in 2019 with her then-husband, seeking a better future for Jellica. Although her marriage later dissolved, Benylyn had embraced her new life in Bristol and was working to provide for her daughter. She maintained daily contact with her family via video calls.

In February 2021, Benylyn informed her sister that she was traveling to Scotland with Andrew Innes, whom she had recently met online. Shela harbored a bad feeling about Innes, especially given their online acquaintance. She saw photos of him with his ex-wife and children on Facebook. A few hours later, Benylyn showed her sister Innes's house in Dundee via video, where a samurai sword was visible in the background while Jellica played nearby. This was the last time Shela saw her sister and niece alive.

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house of horror