An “arrogant” killer who provoked a national manhunt after killing a much-loved Sunderland woman has been convicted of murder.
Alexander Carr went on the run for 18 days in December last year after stabbing 47-year-old Michelle Hanson to death in her flat.
He was eventually found by police in a tent pitched on a railway embankment near Upper Holloway train station in London, hiding with a hunting knife.
On Friday he pleaded guilty to murder at Newcastle crown court.
The 33-year-old became the prime suspect in the case after he was the last person to be seen with the mother of three at her flat on Brady Street in the Sunderland suburb of Pallion on 1 December last year.
A nationwide manhunt was launched to find him after Hanson’s family discovered her dead. Investigating officers found a number of discarded knives as well as forensic evidence pointing to Carr at the scene.
Carr, from Wearside, was a student at the University of Sunderland and had links to London and several parts of the north-east.
During the search, police said he was thought to have some survival skills and could have been hiding outdoors. A photograph of him was circulated widely as part of a wanted appeal, with the public asked for their assistance to help locate him.
Shannon Brown, Hanson’s daughter, featured in a video released during the manhunt, appealing for help to find him. “It’s heartbreaking for us as a family to know we will never see her again,” she said at the time.
“My mum was a caring, kind and loving person. She would never hurt anyone, even if someone did something to hurt her, she would forgive them because she always saw the good in people.”
At the brief plea hearing on Friday, the court heard that Carr suffered personality disorders at the time of the murder.
Judge Paul Sloan KC told Carr only a life sentence was possible, but he will set the minimum term the defendant must serve behind bars at a hearing on 16 June.
Speaking after Carr’s conviction, senior investigating officer Det Ch Insp Graeme Barr of Northumbria police said: “Firstly I would like to praise the bravery and strength shown by Michelle’s family throughout these proceedings.
“Not only have they had to come to terms with the tragic loss of their mam and grandmother, but they also played a role in helping us to locate Carr by issuing an appeal for information.
“His despicable actions speak volumes. Carr murdered Michelle and then fled down south and went into hiding so he could not be held accountable. That arrogance and lack of remorse has been difficult for Michelle’s family to come to terms with, and we are thankful he is now behind bars, facing a life sentence for his actions.
“We know nothing can bring Michelle back but we hope today can serve as the first step towards the closure her family deserve.”
