WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT Irene Mbugua was tragically found dead inside David Walsh’s address in Winson Green. Walsh later confessed he had struck Ms Mbugua ten times with a brick04:49, 22 May 2026A man has been given a life sentence after admitting killing his carer with a brick before hiding her body in his home as it flooded.‌Irene Mbugua was tragically found dead inside David Walsh’s address on Markby Road, Winson Green, on June 23. Initial police enquiries found that she had suffered serious injuries to her head and face, having been assaulted.‌The body of 46-year-old mother-of-four Ms Mbugua was discovered in the kitchen, which had been blocked by a sofa in front of the door. She was partially covered by debris from the ceiling which had collapsed due to the bathroom upstairs being flooded. Ms Mbugua was pronounced dead at the scene.‌Detectives launched a full investigation, establishing that Irene was working as a carer, and had been at the address to provide care to Walsh. The 35-year-old was arrested a short time later and taken to hospital. He was later charged with murder and assaulting several police officers when he was arrested.Police recovered a house brick in a Lidl bag in his bedroom. Walsh later confessed to a psychiatrist he had struck Ms Mbugua ten times with it as well as strangled her before moving her into the kitchen‌Phil Bradley KC, defending, stated it was Walsh's 'debilitating mental health that triggered her ultimate demise'. He added he had a 'real fondness' for Ms Mbugua who had 'helped him greatly'.Walsh went on to admit manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility and four counts of assaulting an emergency worker. Yesterday at Birmingham Crown Court, he was given a life sentence, and ordered to serve a minimum of 12 years minus the 326 days he has spent on remand, Birmingham Live reports.Justice Wall, passing sentence, said: "This was a brutal and unexplained attack. You committed it while mentally unwell, but you cannot be treated in hospital. You have shown an unwillingness or inability to take the medication necessary for keeping you well and have demonstrated a lack of engagement with those who are trying to care for you.‌"You take illegal drugs when you would have been aware that they would exacerbate your mental health problems. There is no basis upon which I can have any confidence that the things which combined to make you behave in this way once are not likely to recur in the future."Ms Mbugua's sister-in-law Nancy Mwangi described feeling 'completely broken' and said: "We had so many dreams and hopes for a bright future in this land of opportunity, and she spoke about them with such joy and life in her eyes Now all of that ended too soon with her death."Article continues belowDet Insp Michelle Cordell, who led the investigation, said: “Our thoughts throughout have remained with Irene’s family and loved ones at what has been an unimaginably difficult time for them.“The circumstances of this case are heartbreaking. Irene’s life was cut short by someone she was providing care for. My investigators have worked tirelessly to understand the circumstances surrounding Irene’s death, and to provide answers for Irene’s family.”Irene’s family have been kept fully up to date throughout the investigation and supported by specialist officers. They said today: “No matter what the sentence is it will never bring Irene back. Our concerns are there are thousands of Irenes out there who may be at risk. This is so sad, it could, and should have been avoided. Our love forever is with Irene, Rest in Peace.”