A disturbed killer who stabbed his girlfriend to death before staying with her body for five days has died behind bars.
Andrew McKinlay was ordered to serve a minimum of 15 years in prison for murdering mum-of-three Josephine Steele at her home in Glasgow.
He left the 45-year-old with five deep stab wounds, several other cuts as well as defensive wounds during the brutal attack in October 2013.
McKinlay, then 39, stayed with her body for the next five days before purchasing bleach and an Airwick air freshener in a bid to cover the smell.
He moved out of the property to stay with a friend before the tragic mum’s body was discovered around two weeks later.
During a trial, the High Court in Glasgow was told how caring Josephine had allowed her partner to move in with her as he was about to be made homeless.
The killer was found to have taken flu medication, valium and cannabis before launching the “sustained attack”.
Sentencing him at the High Court in Edinburgh, judge Kenneth Maciver told the murder: “This was a brutal killing.
During sentencing at the High Court in Edinburgh, judge Kenneth Maciver told the murder: “This was a brutal killing.
“Although it was a short relationship, she loved and trusted you and she was entitled to feel safe and secure in her own home.
“It is clear you attacked her in a drug and drink fuelled rage. The attack with a weapon was relentless.
“Your actions and conduct were callous and shameful, because you went on, as if nothing had happened.”
The Scottish Prison Service has now confirmed that McKinlay has died at the age of 47.
His cause of death is unknown but a Fatal Accident Inquiry will examine the circumstances at a later date.
A statement from the SPS said: “Andrew McKinlay, 47, a prisoner from HMP Shotts has died on 30 July 2021. He was convicted at Edinburgh High Court in 2014.
“Police Scotland have been advised and the matter reported to the Procurator Fiscal. A Fatal Accident Inquiry will be held in due course.”
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