Chelmsford Murder: Obsessed Ex-Boyfriend Jailed for Life After Fatal Stabbing in Nelson Grove

A 26-year-old chef from Chelmsford has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of a 44-year-old father-of-two who was stabbed to death at a residential property in Nelson Grove.

Adrian Ellingford was found with serious injuries in the early hours of Monday 25th July 2022 after Essex Police and paramedics were called to the address at around 4:30am. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem examination later confirmed he had been stabbed twice in the back.

Marek Hecko, of Rookes Crescent, Chelmsford, was arrested at the scene after returning to the property while officers were present. He had been in a relationship with Stephanie Breame. Court evidence showed Hecko had displayed “stalker-like behaviour” in the months that followed, including repeated calls, messages, internet searches for her name, and uninvited visits to her home and workplace.

On the night of the killing, Hecko entered the Nelson Grove property after seeing Mr Ellingford’s car parked outside. Mr Ellingford, who was in a relationship with Ms Breame, was asleep in bed with her when he was attacked. Ms Breame woke to Mr Ellingford mentioning that “someone” had been in the house before he collapsed.

Hecko later told a witness he had “done something terrible” and was “going to prison for 20 to 25 years”. CCTV footage captured him buying two bottles of wine shortly before the attack; an empty bottle of the same wine bearing his fingerprints was found outside the house. His DNA was also recovered from the knife handle.

Following a three-week trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, Hecko was found guilty of murder on 13th March 2023. On 14th March 2023 he was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 26 years.

Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said after the sentencing: “This was a senseless attack on Adrian which has left two children without a father. I hope that they can move forward and find some closure now that Hecko is behind bars.”

Mr Ellingford’s family paid tribute to him as a “much-loved husband, father, son and brother” and a “hard-working” and “truly brilliant father”. In a statement they said: “Our hearts are broken. He has been taken from his family and friends far too soon.”