Mum's murder: Daughter's fight for justice

Ebony Brannan's life was shattered when her mother, Louisa, was murdered in March 2011, just months after they had reconnected following years of separation due to Louisa's struggles with addiction. Louisa met Reece Ludlow at a pub, and after an intimate encounter at his flat in Sutton, Ludlow brutally stabbed her multiple times and beat her with a frying pan. He later confessed to the murder.

Louisa, aged 34, had been turning her life around and was proud of her progress. Ebony, who was raised by her grandmother and shielded from the full extent of her mother's addiction, cherished their renewed relationship. She recalled a particularly joyful reunion at a family wedding in February 2011, where she shared cherished moments with her mother.

Reece Ludlow, then 19, was apprehended after a five-day manhunt. During the trial at Woolwich Crown Court in July 2012, it was revealed that Louisa was stabbed 25 times in a sustained and brutal attack. Ludlow's defense of diminished responsibility was withdrawn, and he pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 17 years.

Ebony, who suffered a mini-stroke at 16 due to the stress, has worked to reconcile her past resentment towards her mother's addiction. She now honors Louisa's memory by visiting her grave with her children, emphasizing her mother's strength and recovery, remembering her as a fighter who deserved a chance to live fully.