Leo Ross’ mum says ‘my child’s life was stolen for no cause’ after ‘mindless assault’

The mum of Leo Ross said her life will never be the same after her ‘baby’ was stabbed to death on his way home from school.

The 12-year-old’s birth mother Rachel Fisher and Leo’s foster family, the Westons, have spoken of their devastation after his 15-year-old killer pleaded guilty to murder today (January 29).

As reported by Birmingham Live, his birth mother Rachel Fisher said: “My son Leo was the sweetest, most kind-hearted boy.

“He didn’t have a bad bone in his body. My baby’s life was stolen for no reason whatsoever.

“My life will never be the same again without him. He will be loved and missed forever.”

The Westons said “not a day goes by where we don’t think about Leo”.

They added: “His loss has impacted us deeply and his absence is felt constantly. Leo was the sweetest, kindest boy who put others before himself.

“He was loved by all that knew him, he made friends with everyone he met, young or old.

“He was wise beyond his years, full of knowledge and facts, full of life. A life cut short by a senseless act.

“We hope justice is served and we can get some closure, whatever the outcome, it still does not give Leo his life back, the life he truly deserved to live to its fullest.”

Leo died after being taken to hospital from a riverside path in Shire Country Park, Hall Green, Birmingham, on January 21 last year.

The youth, who was 14 at the time of the killing and is now 15, also admitted two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent on January 19 and 20 2025 and assault occasioning actual bodily harm on January 21 2025 in relation to separate attacks on other victims, as well as having a bladed article on the day he killed Leo.

He denied assault occasioning actual bodily harm on October 22 2024 and assault by beating on December 29 2024 in relation to two further victims and those charges were ordered to lie on file.

Subsequent police inquiries established that the knife used to kill him was thrown into a nearby river, while the youth responsible, riding a bike, had previously hunted down and attacked several women in local parkland.

An inquiry by West Midlands Police also found that the killer opted to hang around to talk to officers at the murder scene, falsely claiming he had stumbled across Leo lying fatally injured beside the River Cole.

It also emerged that Leo had no connection with his attacker and was subjected to what senior officers believe was a completely random and unprovoked stabbing.

The defendant’s guilty pleas were entered more than six months after a trial was postponed to allow psychiatric experts to assess the defendant, who cannot be identified due to his age.

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