A tragic incident unfolded at the Notting Hill Carnival on August 25, 2024, when a woman named Cher Maximen, aged 32, was fatally stabbed with a zombie knife in a horrifying act of violence witnessed by her three-year-old daughter. Maximen, described by her family as "radiant, loving, passionate, and kind," was enjoying what was intended to be a family-friendly day at the carnival with friends when she found herself caught in a violent altercation involving a group of men. This senseless incident left her family mourning the loss of a devoted mother, granddaughter, sister, and friend.

Shakeil Thibou, a 20-year-old resident of Kensington in west London, was found guilty of murdering Maximen after a four-week trial at London's Old Bailey. The jury reached its verdict by a majority of 10 to 2, and also convicted Thibou of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to another carnival-goer, as well as possessing an offensive weapon. However, he was acquitted of the charge of attempted murder. Following the verdict, Maximen's family publicly expressed gratitude to the jury for helping to ensure justice was served for their loved one, who was affectionately known as "Princess Cher."

The events surrounding Maximen's death were described in devastating detail during the trial. Witnesses recounted how Thibou lunged at a man named Adjei Isaac with a knife during the chaos, and in a tragic turn of events, as Mr. Isaac attempted to evade the attack, he collided with Maximen. In the ensuing melee, she was stabbed by Thibou, an act that ultimately led to her suffering a cardiac arrest. Despite undergoing two major surgeries following the attack, Maximen succumbed to her injuries six days later.

TJ Jacobs, a family member and godmother of Maximen's daughter, shared heartfelt reflections on the impact of this tragedy on their lives. In her emotional statement, Jacobs described Cher as "pure magic," noting her creativity, style, and the joy she brought to those around her. "This senseless act of violence has cut short a life that had so much more to offer the world and was only beginning to blossom," she stated with evident sorrow. Maximen's grandmother, Vyleen Maximen, expressed her profound grief, lamenting the cherished moments they would never share again, including milestones like her granddaughter's wedding or the arrival of more children.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, the Maximen family emphasized that Cher would not have wanted the Notting Hill Carnival to be canceled in the future. Instead, they called for increased safety measures to ensure such a horrific event does not happen again during future celebrations.

As for the defendants, Thibou's brothers, Sheldon (25) and Shaeim (22), faced their own legal troubles, with Sheldon pleading guilty to assaulting an emergency worker and also being convicted of violent disorder. The fatal attack took place on Golborne Road during a time when the carnival was in full swing, filled with hundreds of revelers. Prosecutor Edward Brown KC characterized the stabbing as a "truly shocking attack" and highlighted the chaotic atmosphere that surrounded the event.

During the trial, Thibou claimed that he had not brought a knife to the carnival but rather picked one up from the ground in what he described as a self-defense situation against Mr. Isaac. He insisted that he had no intention of harming Maximen and was unaware of her presence during the conflict. Notably, evidence presented in court revealed that Thibou disposed of the weapon in a drain while fleeing the carnival scene. While he faced serious charges, his brother Sheldon chose not to testify, and Shaeim denied the charges against him, claiming he was acting to defend his brother. Both Shakeil and Sheldon Thibou were remanded in custody, while Shaeim was granted bail. Sentencing for Shakeil and Shaeim Thibou is scheduled for May 16, with a date yet to be set for Sheldon.

Emma Currie, a senior prosecutor in the Crown Prosecution Service's London Homicide Unit, expressed hope that the verdict would bring some measure of justice to the community. She emphasized the profound tragedy of the case, especially for the young child who lost her mother on what was meant to be a joyful day at the carnival. Currie stated that Cher was caught up in the panic caused by the Thibou brothers, whose violent actions robbed her of her life and her child's future. She concluded by extending her thoughts and sympathy to Cher's family and friends as they grapple with this unfathomable loss.