A man convicted of murdering his ex-partner after she attempted to end their relationship has been jailed following a Met investigation.

On Friday, 16 October, Deepak Sandhu, 24 (28.12.01), of Newlands Avenue, Southampton was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 28 years in prison, after being found guilty the previous day.

A Met investigation uncovered messages which showed Sandhu had grown increasingly angry after his partner Xiaoqing Ke attempted to end their relationship, before travelling to London to carry out his fatal attack.

In their victim’s family impact statement, Xiaoqing’s sister said: “This tragedy has had a devastating impact on our entire family.

“When we think that my sister was finally approaching a time when her hardships might ease, only for her life to end in such a way, we are filled with a profound sense of injustice, regret and unbearable heartache.

“The only wish our entire family has is that the person responsible receives the punishment they deserve under the law. We believe that the law will deliver a just outcome, uphold justice, and provide our family with the justice our loved one deserves, bringing some measure of solace to those of us who continue to grieve her loss.”

Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley, who led the investigation, said: "Xiaoqing's family have been through an unimaginably painful time, and our thoughts remain with them.

“The sentence served on Sandhu concludes a thorough investigation by my team, which uncovered vital evidence showing how Sandhu had become fixated on Xiaoqing and had subjected her to a tirade of controlling and abusive messages before ultimately deciding to end her life.

“Xiaoqing should never have had to endure what happened to her either in the months before her death or in the final moments of her life. Tackling violence against women and girls remains one of our key priorities, and we will do everything to identify those who carry out these offences and bring them to justice.”

The investigation

Police were called to an address on Old Brompton Road, Earl's Court, on Wednesday, 10 December 2025, to concerns for the welfare of a woman.

Officers attended and found the body of Xiaoqing Ke, 39, inside the property with multiple stab wounds.

A murder investigation was launched and officers gathered evidence, including mobile phones and clothing, to help build a picture of the assault and any relevant background on those who had been in contact with Xiaoqing.

This work uncovered messages between Xiaoqing and a man called Deepak Sandhu, who had clearly become obsessed with her following a brief relationship.

Further analysis on blood taken from the scene matched Sandhu and he was identified as a main suspect.

Enquiries revealed that Sandhu had stolen money from her and lied to her, which led to her to attempting to break up the relationship. Sandhu became determined to take revenge, which he discussed in a message to a friend in the days before the attack as well as predicting in a text that he would ‘become evil’.

On Tuesday, 9 December 2025, he travelled to London from Southampton with a knife after arranging to meet Xiaoqing. He attempted to conceal his identity before being let inside the address, where he then stabbed her.

Upon leaving around 90 minutes later, he started efforts to flee the country to avoid detection. He falsely claimed to a family member that another man killed Xioaqing while he was there and also booked a flight to Mumbai.

Officers were able to locate Sandhu and he was arrested on Friday, 12 December after being stopped and cautioned while on board a coach on the way to the airport.