My daughter was knifed to death at kids' party in front of son with knife that cut cake…but killer made crucial error
PARTY HORROR My daughter was knifed to death at kids' party in front of son with knife that cut cake…but killer made crucial error
AS CHARLOTTE Lawlor sang happy birthday at her nephew's party, no one could have imagined that just moments later the young mum would be stabbed to death.
What makes her death all the more cruel is that the knife used to cut the cake at the 15th birthday celebration was the weapon used by Charlotte's killer to take her life just moments later.
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Charlotte Lawlor was murdered at a kids' birthday party in front of her son
Credit: MET Police
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Hope Rowe used the same knife used to cut the birthday cake to fatally stab Charlotte
Credit: HotSpot Media
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Her boyfriend, Leigh Holder, convinced Rowe to dispose of the weapon
Credit: HotSpot Media
Following a mysterious row with fellow partygoer Hope Rowe, Charlotte, 31, was ambushed outside the party and stabbed to death in front of her horrified 11-year-old son.
The mum-of-one suffered a fatal blow and died almost instantly on September 15 2024, despite efforts by the paramedics to save her life.
After the brutal attack, Rowe fled the scene in her car with boyfriend Leigh Holder, 37, who convinced her to dispose of the blade, which was never found, and to avoid capture.
But the pair made a crucial error while fleeing the scene, with Holder accidentally leaving a voicemail on Rowe's phone as he sat next to her.
In the recorded voicemail, Holder told Rowe: "You absolute idiot. You killed her, you f**king idiot."
Rowe chillingly replied: "Good."
Last month, Rowe was found guilty of murder and handed a life sentence of 23 years, while Holder was convicted of perverting the course of justice and jailed for 16 months.
Now, Charlotte's mother, Tammy John, 50, has spoken for the first time since her heart-shattering loss.
Tammy, from Kent, says: 'It doesn't seem real that Charlotte is dead.
'Our lives are completely changed, and losing my child, there's no words, the pain is horrendous.
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'No one should lose their child through violence. I shouldn't have buried my child.
"Charlotte's son has been left without a mum, and siblings without their older sister and best friend.
'She brought light to everyone's life, and we miss her every day.'
Party horror
Tammy describes Charlotte, her firstborn, as her best friend and says that they didn't go a day without speaking.
The pair's bond grew stronger when Charlotte became a mum at 19.
Tammy says: 'Like me, she was also a teen mum.
'I had Charlotte at 17, so I was happy to help her navigate single motherhood.
'Charlotte was such a natural mum and doted on her son.'
Over the years, Charlotte moved to different temporary accommodations, sometimes finding herself in unsafe areas prone to crime.
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Charlotte was ambushed by Rowe after a previous argument earlier that evening
Credit: HotSpot Media
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At her funeral Tammy chose a red theme to honour her daughter's favourite colour
Credit: HotSpot Media
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Charlotte's mother Tammy, pictured together, was left devastated by her loss
Credit: HotSpot Media
Eventually, when her son turned 10, they were placed in a new build in a nice area of London, and Tammy says her life began to look brighter after her previous struggles.
Tammy recalls: 'She was so happy for a fresh start in a nice, safe home for her and her son.
'I helped her decorate the place. I could see her zest for life return.'
Every year, Charlotte attended her son's cousin's birthday party.
Despite her son not being in touch with his dad, she still made an effort to see his extended family.
On September 15 last year, she was at the 15-year-old's party at his home in Stepney Green, East London, when what should have been a day of celebration turned into a day of horror.
Charlotte was stabbed in front of her son, other children and party guests after an argument with Rowe earlier that evening.
It's unclear what sparked the row, with Rowe refusing to comment when interviewed following her arrest, and later claiming in court that her actions were down to a momentary loss of control.
'Didn't seem real'
Early the next morning, Tammy received a call from her other daughter, Rebecca, 26.
She delivered the devastating news that Charlotte was dead.
Tammy says: 'When Rebecca called and asked if I was sitting down, I knew it wasn't good news.
'When she told me Charlotte was gone, I told her she wasn't making sense. I didn't know what she meant by 'gone'.
'Then, when she said she was dead, I lost it and screamed down the phone in disbelief.'
It didn't seem real. I shouldn't have been saying goodbye to my child
Tammy Lawlor
Tammy rushed to the police station, where she found her grandson in shock.
Officers informed Tammy that Charlotte had been stabbed to death at the children's party.
What's more, her traumatised son had witnessed it. She was told they had two people in custody.
Tammy says: 'At that point, I had no idea they were revellers at the party too. I thought it was a random attack.'
Back at hers, Charlotte's son kept asking if Tammy was OK.
She says: 'I told him it was OK to cry, but he said he was fine.
'I knew he wasn't, but he was being so strong for everyone. I knew what he must've seen was horrific.
'I was beside myself with grief, but tried to hold it in for his sake.'
The next day, Tammy was told that a woman had been arrested alongside her partner, but they'd denied the charges.
Tammy says: 'I was horrified it'd happened at a party and was desperate for answers.'
Where to seek grief support
Need professional help with grief? Child Bereavement UK Childbereavementuk.org
Cruse Bereavement Cruse.org.uk
Relate Relate.org.uk
The Good Grief Trust Thegoodgrieftrust.org
You can also always speak to your GP if you're struggling.
You're Not Alone
Check out these books, podcasts and apps that all expertly navigate grief… Griefcast: Cariad Lloyd interviews comedians on this award-winning podcast.
The Madness Of Grief by Rev Richard Coles (£9.99, W&N): The Strictly fave writes movingly on losing his husband David to alcoholism.
Terrible, Thanks For Asking: Podcast host Nora McInerny encourages non-celebs to share how they're really feeling.
Good Mourning by Sally Douglas and Imogen Carn (£14.99, Murdoch Books): A guide for people who've suffered sudden loss, like the authors who both lost their mums.
Grief Works: Download this for daily meditations and expert tips.
How To Grieve Like A Champ by Lianna Champ (£3.99, Red Door Press): A book for improving your relationship with death.
On October 25th, the family held Charlotte's funeral.
Over 200 mourners attended, and her body was taken to the crematorium by a horse-drawn carriage.
Tammy remembers: 'Charlotte's favourite colour was red, so we had red flowers and released 31 red balloons with personal messages from us all inside.
'It didn't seem real. I shouldn't have been saying goodbye to my child. We were all heartbroken.'
'She's a monster'
Months on, in June this year, Tammy had to look into the eyes of her daughter's killer at the trial.
Hearing the grisly details of her death left Tammy reeling.
Inner London Crown Court heard, Charlotte and Rowe, 33, had gotten into an argument at the party.
I'll never hear Charlotte say 'Mum' and she'll never see her son grow up, get married, or have children of his own
Tammy Lawlor
When Charlotte went to leave with her son, Rowe lay in wait at the bottom of the stairs, armed with the birthday cake knife, before stabbing helpless Charlotte.
Tammy says: 'Listening to the evidence made me sick to my stomach.
'Especially that Hope had reacted to my daughter's death the way she did. She's a monster.
'During the seven-week trial, I could hear Hope and Leigh both laughing and joking.
'Like my daughter's life was a big joke, I hated them.'
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Tammy says she still can't comprehend that her daughter is no longer here
Credit: HotSpot Media
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Tammy, seen with Charlotte when she was younger, says she thinks Rowe's 23-year sentence is a 'joke'
Credit: HotSpot Media
In 15 minutes, the jury found Rowe guilty of murder and possessing a blade in a public place, and she was handed a life sentence with a minimum of 23 years.
Tammy says: 'Her sentence is a joke, there's no justice for my girl.
"I'll never hear Charlotte say 'Mum' and she'll never see her son grow up, get married, or have children of his own.
'That was all snatched from her.
'She had her whole life ahead of her, and Hope stole it in a moment of senseless violence.
'We're now the ones with the life sentence.'
Tammy is planning to start a charity in Charlotte's name, using music therapy to help kids who've experienced trauma.
The family are asking for donations to help pay Charlotte's outstanding bills. Please visit their GoFundMe here to donate.
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