Mark Crook

On 10 September 2011, in the early hours of the morning, Melissa Crook (20), her 15-month-old son Noah Crook, and her father Mark Crook (49) were murdered in a deliberate arson attack at their family home in Chatham Hill, Chatham, Kent.

The killer was Melissa’s estranged husband, Danai Muhammadi, who was driven by jealousy, spite, and resentment after their marriage broke down. 

With the help of his friend Farhad Mahmud, he squirted petrol through the letterbox and set the fire at the bottom of the stairs, trapping the family inside. 

Melissa and Noah died in the blaze; Mark died six days later from severe burns. Melissa’s mother Amanda and brother Bohdan survived with serious injuries. 

Muhammadi and Mahmud were convicted of three counts of murder and two of attempted murder at Maidstone Crown Court in June 2012 and jailed for life (minimum 38 years for Muhammadi and 34 for Mahmud). 

Muhammadi’s girlfriend Emma Smith was convicted of manslaughter.

Their deaths were a devastating tragedy that left all who knew them utterly bereft. They are remembered together, with great love, by all those whose lives they touched.

Rest in peace Mark. You will not be forgotten.