The children of Nila Patel have released a heartfelt tribute describing the devastating impact of her death and honouring the life she lived as a devoted mother and pillar of her family.
The tribute follows the conviction of 23-year-old drug dealer Chukwuemeka Ahanonu, who was found guilty of her murder after a violent attack in Leicester in June 2025.
Picture credit: Leicestershire Police
Ms Patel, 56, died two days after suffering catastrophic brain injuries in what prosecutors described as a random and “vicious” assault. The attack happened shortly after Ahanonu crashed and overturned a BMW he was driving near Leicester Royal Infirmary.
After the crash, Ahanonu exited the vehicle and ran towards Ms Patel, who had just got off a bus and was walking nearby. He then punched, kicked and stamped on her as she lay on the ground, causing fatal injuries.
In a joint statement, her children, Jaidan and Danika Patel, remembered their mother as “the heart of our family” and “our best friend and our biggest supporter,” as they continue to come to terms with her sudden and violent death.
“Mum was a single mother who faced many obstacles and hardships throughout her life — challenges that would have broken most people,” they said. “Yet no matter what she went through, she would still end each day with a smile bright enough to lift the mood of everyone around her.”
They described her as “quiet, gentle, funny, kind, loving and deeply caring,” emphasising her selflessness and the joy she found in caring for others through cooking, thoughtful gestures and unwavering support.
The family also highlighted her compassion in the moments surrounding the incident.
“The fact that mum was concerned about the defendant after his crash shows exactly the type of person she was,” they said. “Even in that moment, her instinct was to care about someone else.”
They spoke of the profound loss of future milestones — from retirement to becoming a grandmother — moments they say were cruelly taken away.
“All of those moments have now been taken away from her — and from us,” the statement read.
The statement concludes with a message of enduring love and remembrance.
“We will carry mum’s love, her guidance, her kindness and the memory of who she was with us every day for the rest of our lives,” they said. “Mum’s life mattered.”
The case, heard at Leicester Crown Court, drew attention to the shocking and unprovoked nature of the attack, which has left a lasting impact on Ms Patel’s family and the wider community.
