A drunk killer who stabbed his ex-girlfriend’s new partner to death while they were in bed bragged to police “I know what happened” after returning to the scene.
Marek Hecko, 26 has been jailed for life after murdering “beloved dad” Adrian Ellingford while he was sleeping at a property in Chelmsford, Essex, last summer.
He had previously been in a relationship with Ellingford's partner, before she broke things off, but he continued to obsess over her and sent her unwanted text messages and videos.
In police bodycam footage, a visibly intoxicated Hecko is seen stumbling towards and officer drinking a large bottle of brandy.
Marek Hecko has been jailed after stabbing his ex-girlfriend's new partner to death
Essex Police
Slurring, he says: “I know what happened, I know the people involved. I know what happened, and you need me to figure out what happened. If you don't have me, you don't know what happened.”
He then says: “You're going to think about me but it's not going to be me, because there's no proof”, before adding: 'This city is mine. This city is mother f***ing mine.”
The footage shows Hecko returning to the scene in Nelson Grove just hours after stabbing his victim to death on the morning of July 25.
The killer is then pictured being arrested as officers struggle to get him into the police van.
He has today been jailed for 26 years after being convicted of the murder of the father-of-two.
“Jealous and obsessed” killer Hecko had stabbed Ellingford in the back before he died later that morning from his injuries.
Chelmsford Crown Court heard how Hecko broke into the property while Ellingford slept with his partner.
The killer snatched a knife from the kitchen and plunged it into his victim with such force, it broke the handle.
Hecko had become obsessed with his ex-partner after she broke things off and arrived at her workplace and home uninvited.
The court heard he had bought two bottles of wine and walked to the home before leaving one bottle at the scene and also the handle of the knife with his DNA on it.
Prosecutor Cyrus Shroff, said Hecko had shown “stalking” behaviours in the months leading to the stabbing.
Hecko trawled the internet to try and access the woman's Facebook page to see if she was in a relationship, the trial heard.
In a victim statement to the court, Ellingford's wife, Laura, said her husband's death had left her family devastated.
Adrian Ellingford died from his injuries after he was stabbed twice while sleeping in bed
Essex Police
She said: “Having sat through the trial, Hecko refused to accept responsibility for all of his actions. I've been told that I'm brave, but I don't see myself like that. I see myself as a wife and a mother.
“I don't think Marek Hecko appreciates the consequences of his actions. The ripples of his actions will affect all of us for a very long time to come.”
The court heard that Hecko and his ex-girlfriend had ended a relationship in April 2022 as she hated his drug taking.
Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, who led the investigation, said “Adrian's death was tragic and caused a huge shock to this small community.
“The team acted quickly to begin gathering evidence and taking statements from those in the area.
“This trial has been long and extremely distressing for Adrian's loved ones, who have had to sit and listen to details of his death.
“I hope that this court result today and this justice provides a form of closure to Adrian's loved ones, who have had an incredibly difficult time since his death.”