A convicted murderer who stabbed his flatmate 14 times in a drunken argument died in prison just weeks after being sentenced to life behind bars.
Christopher Baptiste, 54, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 18 years for the murder of 36-year-old Sonny Booty at their shared home on Loampit Vale, Lewisham, in August 2022.
However, it has now been revealed that Baptiste was found dead in his cell at HMP Swaleside on October 31, 2023—just 10 weeks after his sentencing.
Cause of Death: Sertraline Toxicity
A post-mortem examination confirmed sertraline toxicity as the cause of Baptiste’s death.
Sertraline, an antidepressant, had been prescribed to him, and he was required to take his medication in front of prison staff daily.
However, an investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman found that Baptiste had somehow obtained a lethal quantity of the drug.
The report suggested:
- He may have hoarded the medication instead of swallowing it when administered.
- He may have traded for additional doses with other prisoners.
- Prison staff had not adequately supervised medication distribution.
The report also noted that there was no clear evidence that Baptiste intended to take his own life or that he was at increased risk of self-harm.
Brutal Killing in Lewisham
Baptiste was convicted of murder in August 2023 following a trial at the Old Bailey, where he initially claimed self-defense before later blaming an unknown individual for the killing.
The court heard how Baptiste and Booty had been drinking and playing pool at The Anchor pub in Lewisham on August 13, 2022.
A disagreement broke out at around 10:40 pm, leading to them being thrown out of the pub. They returned home, where their argument escalated into a violent attack.
Baptiste stabbed Sonny Booty 14 times in the face, chest, arms, and legs in a bedroom of their shared property.
Confession and Arrest
After the attack, Baptiste:
- Told an upstairs neighbour something had happened, but refused to give details.
- Phoned friends, saying he “wouldn’t be seeing them for a while.”
- Walked into Lewisham Police Station the next evening (August 14) and confessed:
“I’ve murdered my flatmate.”
When officers arrived at the property, they found Sonny’s body in the garden and attempted CPR, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
A post-mortem concluded that a stab wound to his chest had been the fatal injury.
Victim’s Family Left Devastated
Following the murder conviction, Sonny Booty’s mother, Kim Booty, gave a heartbreaking statement:
“No mother should ever have to go and identify their child in a mortuary.
“The impact of all this has left me suffering from extreme anxiety and panic attacks.
“I feel like my whole family has been given a life sentence.
“Sonny’s children are scared all the time. No child should have to deal with the death of a parent—let alone one in such a horrific way.”
Prison Fails to Prevent Drug Hoarding
Baptiste’s unexpected death has raised serious concerns over medication security and supervision at HMP Swaleside.
The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman found that medication queues were poorly monitored, providing opportunities for prisoners to hoard or trade drugs.
Authorities have not confirmed whether an official investigation into prison safety measures will be launched following Baptiste’s death.
This remains a developing story.
