This article was written by staff writer Daria Alexandra Craciun.
Author’s note:
Family is supposed to be a pillar one can lean on, confide in, feel comforted and supported by, and be the superior relationship that should bring love and happiness. Yet in the tragic case of The Prosper killings, all familial relations were destroyed in a moment of tragedy. The extreme, horrifying murders came unexpectedly and left lifeless victims that shocked both officers who had to come face to face with such awful circumstances and the people of Luton, Bedfordshire, England. The Prosper Family resided in an apartment off Wauluds Bank Drive, Luton. Juliana Prosper was been born in the Buenos Aires Province, then later migrated to Europe where she met and married her husband, Ray Prosper, with whom she had 4 children.
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In the early hours of the morning, at around 5:30 a.m. on Friday, September 13, 2024, when their neighbors reported hearing gunshots, the police discovered the three lifeless, fatally shot bodies of Juliana, 48, Kyle, 16, and Giselle, 13, wounded to the head, at a tower block in Leabank, off Wauluds Bank Drive. The police arrested their murderer, who was none other than their own family member, Nicholas Prosper, 18, and charged him with three counts of murder, including the purchasing and acquiring of a shotgun without certification on September 12, possession of a shotgun, and possession of a kitchen knife in a public setting.
Nicholas Prosper was arrested later that day around 600 meters away from the crime scene, his initial trial having been scheduled on December 5, 2024, but later delayed to be a provisional three-week trial set for March 3, 2025. Nicholas Prosper spoke to confirm his name and date of birth at Luton Magistrates’ Court that Monday morning. His motive has yet to be revealed, perhaps in the events of the upcoming trial.
In a moment of extreme tension and emotion, having lost his devoted wife, Juliana, his daughter, Giselle, and his son, Kyle, to the hands of his own offspring, Nicholas Prosper, as Nicholas was being led out of his first court appearance on September 16, his father, Ray Prosper, shouted: “I still love you, it’s not your fault, OK?” before the man burst into tears.
The following were the words of the Prosper family’s loved ones.
“Julie was a strong, loving mother to her four beautiful children, who were her absolute world. In her spare time, she was a keen athlete and enjoyed raising money for charity – she was always putting others first.
“Kyle was a kind and funny young man who loved football and boxing. He was creative and thriving on TikTok, a big talent with massive potential. Kyle’s friends were his everything."
“Giselle was a beautiful soul and caring young girl; she liked to laugh lots and loved her family and big brothers. She was so loveable with an infectious smile. She was also an exceptional pupil at school and was loved dearly by her friends in Year 9.”
The victims were showered with many condolences, both from the schools the teenagers attended, Detective Superintendent Rob Hall, or friends of Julia’s, giving those who did not have the honor to encounter them before they died much too young a window into the wonderful, kind, and intelligent people that Juliana, Kyle, and Giselle were.
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Jurisview Journal is a student-led blog that publishes biweekly articles about interesting criminal cases. Our aim is to shed light on cases that require justice or further exploration and provide input on controversial legal events. We also publish infographics to help victims or those who wish to educate themselves on legal issues.
Works Cited
Fullbrook, Danny. “Nicholas Prosper: Trial date set for Luton triple murder suspect.” BBC, 18 September 2024, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm29z0152xyo.amp. Accessed 18 January 2025.
“https://www.beds.police.uk/news/bedfordshire/news/2024/09-september/family-pay-tribute-to-mother-and-children-found-dead-in-luton-flat/.” Bedforshire Police, 16 September 2025, https://www.beds.police.uk/news/bedfordshire/news/2024/09-september/family-pay-tribute-to-mother-and-children-found-dead-in-luton-flat/. Accessed 18 January 2025.
“Luton: Family pay tribute after mum and two kids found dead and man, 18, appears in court charged with murder.” Sky News, 16 September 2024, https://news.sky.com/story/luton-family-pay-tribute-after-mum-and-two-kids-found-dead-and-man-18-appears-in-court-charged-with-murder-13216361. Accessed 18 January 2025.
Martin, Amy-Clare. “Murder trial date set after mother and two children found dead in Luton flat.” The Independent, 18 September 2024, https://www.newsbreak.com/news/3600123278562-murder-trial-date-set-after-mother-and-two-children-found-dead-in-luton-flat. Accessed 18 January 2025.
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