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Two convicted of murder of Barnet man

Armand Tafa and Migen Emilova were convicted of killing Stefan Stelian Moraru in Whetstone in March last year

Stefan Stelian Moraru, who was murdered in Whetstone in 2023
Stefan Stelian Moraru, who murdered in Whetstone last year – (Credit – Met Police)

Two men have been convicted of murder following the death of a man in Whetstone last year.

Armand Tafa, 40, and Migen Emilova, 35, both of no fixed address were found guilty at the Old Bailey on Wednesday of murdering Stefan Stelian Moraru on 19th March 2023. 

Police had launched a murder investigation after they were called to Chandos Avenue in Whetstone on the morning of 20th March 2023 to reports of a man injured in the street. 

When they arrived, they found Stefan, who was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem found he died as a result of a stab wound to the heart. 

The police discovered that Stefan had left his home at 10pm on 19th March and never returned. It was later established that he had been ambushed at some point between 10.30pm and 11pm. CCTV from the area showed Tafa and Emilova approaching Stefan’s car before struggling with him. Stefan was able to run away but it is believed that at this point he had been stabbed. 

Tafa and Emilova searched Stefan’s car before stealing it. The motive remains unclear although it is thought that there was an argument between the three men involving drugs. 

Detectives were able to identify the two men, and they were arrested within a week.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil John from the Specialist Crime Command led the investigation. He said: “Firstly, our thoughts today are with Stefan’s family who have had to endure listening to the horrific details of the night he was murdered.

“His life was taken in an act of violence, and he was abandoned in the street to die alone. No one should have to spend the last minutes of their life in such circumstances.

“It is only right that Armand Tafa and Migen Emilova – who blamed each other for the murder – have been convicted and they now face many years in prison to contemplate their actions.”

Tafa was found guilty of robbery. Emilova had pleaded guilty to robbery before the trial.

They are due to be sentenced at the Old Bailey today. 


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