Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Stab death lad’s mum dies ‘with a broken heart’
Family say Debbie ‘wanted justice’ and ‘lost her spark’
THE heartbroken mum of a teenager who was knifed to death has died “wanting justice”, her family said.
Yousef Makki, 17, was fatally stabbed in March last year and Debbie, 54, died early yesterday “with a broken heart”.
Relatives said lockdown had given her “too much time” to think of her “colossal” loss and she was unable to get comfort from seeing her grandchildren.
Yousef was knifed in the heart by a friend, former public schoolboy Joshua Molnar, 18, in a fight in Hale Barns, Cheshire – but he was cleared of murder and manslaughter at Manchester crown court after he claimed self-defence. Molnar admitted possession of a knife and perverting justice and got 16 months in custody.
Yousef ’s family have called for a full inquest and vowed to carry on their fight for justice. Sister Jade Akoum said on Facebook their “beautiful strong mum” had “peacefully passed away”.
She added: “Mum died with a broken heart and we knew she wanted justice for Yousef . I promise you mum we wont give up until we get it for you.”
Jade added: “My mum’s mental and physical health had deteriorated dramatically over the past year.
“She hadn’t been the same. Her heart was broken and the spark in her eyes had gone.”
Pal Adam Chowdary, 18, was with Yousef when he was knifed but he was also cleared of all charges except possessing a knife and got four months in a youth detention centre.
Debbie had urged him to stop “living a lie” and tell her what happened.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said: “So, so sorry to hear this news. And after everything the family has been through. Debbie was such a lovely person and deserved so much more.”
I promise you, mum, we won’t give up until we get justice JADE AKOUM SISTER OF MURDERED YOUSEF