Friday 28 October 2022 11:43 AM Jemma Mitchell sentenced to life live on TV trends now
A self-styled healer has been sentenced to life with a minimum of 34 years live on television after killing and beheading her friend in a 'profoundly shocking' crime.
Jemma Mitchell bludgeoned 67-year-old Mee Kuen Chong over the head with a weapon at her London home in June last year in a rage over money.
Using skills she had learned during her medical studies, she then decapitated her 5ft 2in tall friend before putting her remains in a suitcase she hid on the top of a neighbour's shed.
Two weeks later, she drove more than 200 miles to the seaside town of Salcombe in Devon where she left devout Christian Ms Chong's decapitated and badly decomposed body in woods.
Today the killer - said to be in 'complete denial' over the crime - mouthed to her mother in the public gallery 'Hi mummy' as she entered Court Six of the Old Bailey.
Judge Richard Marks KC heard that Ms Chong had suffered a 'horrifying ordeal and tragic death'.
Broadcasting live to the country, he told Mitchell: 'I have no doubt whatsoever that this was a undergone for gain. There is the chilling aspect to what you did to and with her body after you killed her.
'You have shown no remorse and appear to be in complete denial at what you did.
'The enormity of your crime is profoundly shocking.
'The sentence of the court is life imprisonment and the minimum will be 34 years.
'As you well knew she (Ms Chong) was particularly vulnerable.
'She was very well aware of your problems in regards to the help and was proactive in trying to help you.'
Jemma Mitchell who is due to be sentenced at the Old Bailey of the murder of Mee Kuen Chong this morning live on television
Mee Kuen Chong was hit over the head with a weapon at her London home in June last year when Mitchell flew into a rage
CCTV footage of Mitchell being arrested by police at her home was released after the verdict showing her feigning surprise
Screen grab taken from CCTV issued by Metropolitan Police of Jemma Mitchell dragging a blue suitcase outside Ms Chong's Wembley home
Ms Chong's sister Amy Chong provided a victim impact statement and joined the hearing by video link from Malaysia along with the victim's nieces Pinky and Yinky and nephew Ryan.
She said in her statement said: 'Deborah's death was a shock to us all. It was difficult to comprehend how it could have happened to her, although we are not close due to certain differences of opinion with regard to religion.
'It saddens me she had to go through such a horrifying ordeal and tragic death.'
The victim's sister added she had suffered sleepless nights and the murder left a 'huge bottomless hole' in her life.
She said that 'no-one in their right mind' would mutilate another person in the way Mitchell had.
Hearing in the trial how Mitchell had taken advantage of her sister and put her down as mentally ill had caused more upset.
She added: 'She is the crazy one who steals people's belongings after they died.
'We still do not understand how she died. Did she suffer? This mystery will haunt me forever.'
The prosecution claimed 38-year-old Mitchell had planned to murder the vulnerable divorcee and fake her will to inherit the bulk of her estate - worth more than £700,000.
Judge Richard Marks KC heard Ms Chong had suffered a 'horrifying ordeal and tragic death'
Detective Chief Inspector Jim Eastwood speaking to media outside the Old Bailey yesterday
The site in woodland where the body was dumped in Salcombe, Devon, and found by police
Ms Chong went missing on June 11 last year and her body was found hundreds of miles away 16 days later
She came up with the plan after Ms Chong, who was known as Deborah, backed out of giving her £200,000 to pay for repairs to Mitchell's £4 million
