Construction worker who claimed his 24-day-old daughter and 21-month-old son died of natural causes is guilty of murdering them both and of fatally poisoning his new girlfriend six years later

• Jordan Monaghan, 30, of Blackburn, found guilty of three counts of murder
• He was found guilty of killing daughter Ruby in 2013 and son Logan in 2014
• Monaghan also found guilty of murdering his girlfriend Evie Adams in 2019
• Monaghan was quizzed over deaths of two children but was released by police
• But he was arrested again after giving overdose over tramadol to Ms Adams  

A triple killer who sobbed as he faked grief over the death of his two children has today been found guilty of their murders – along with the killing of his partner six years later.

Construction worker Jordan Monaghan was today found guilty of smothering three-week-old daughter, Ruby, on New Year’s Day 2013, and 21-month-old son, Logan, eight months later.

The 30-year-old was quizzed for eight hours over their deaths, which he claimed were due to natural causes. He was later released by police. 

Monaghan, of Blackburn, later then went on to murder girlfriend Evie Adams in 2019 by giving her an overdose of tramadol and diazepam, which he bought on the black market. 

Days after murdering little Logan, Monaghan  spoke about the torment of losing both of his children.

He complained the police had treated him and the kids’ biological mother, Laura Gray, 28, who today wept in court as the verdict was read out, as criminals.

Digger driver Monaghan sobbed: ‘It’s been like a bad dream and we expect to wake up at any moment.

Pictured: Jordan Monaghan and his former partner Laura Grey leaving Blackburn Coroners in 2014 after the inquest into their son Logan’s death. Monghan later killed girlfriend Evie Adams

Jordan Monaghan was today found guilty of smothering three-week-old daughter, Ruby (pictured left), on New Year’s Day 2013, and 21-month-old son, Logan (pictured right), eight months later

Monaghan, of Blackburn, was also found guilty of murdering his girlfriend Evie Adams (pictured) in 2019 by giving her an overdose of tramadol and diazepam, which he bought on the black market

‘You never get over losing a child but we were just starting to move on and then Logan dies.

‘You always expect your children to outlive you and don’t think you’ll have to plan their funeral. But we have had to do it twice it eight months. It’s heart-breaking.’

Following Logan’s death on August 17, Monaghan were quizzed for eight hours by police before being released.

Jordan said: ‘Even though we were told they weren’t treating the death as suspicious, we did feel like criminals.’ 

Monaghan had smothered tiny Ruby while she slept in her Moses basket. He had told his then partner Miss Gray that he would stay up and feed their daughter at 2am.

He later woke her saying Ruby was not breathing.

Ruby was rushed to hospital where she later died. An inquest – held in April 2013 – ruled that she died of natural causes after contracting acute bronchopneumonia.

Jordan Monaghan posted this picture of him proposing to girlfriend Evie Adams, who he has today been found guilty of murdering

Following Logan’s death on August 17, Monaghan (pictured here with ex-partner Laura Gray in 2013) were quizzed for eight hours by police before being released 

Logan was also found unresponsive in his pram after Monaghan had taken him swimming.

Miss Gray discovered her son when she went to feed him. The coroner recorded an open verdict.

Monaghan, of Blackburn, was also found guilty of murdering his girlfriend Evie Adams by giving her an overdose of tramadol and diazepam, which he bought on the black market.

Monaghan had denied in police interview that he had joined WhatsApp group ‘UK Tablets’ but admitted when giving evidence that he had lied.

He told the court he had bought pregabs – an abbreviation for anti-anxiety pill pregabalin – pain-killer tramadol and anti-depressant diazepam – but insisted he took them.

He denied giving them to his girlfriend.

Miss Adams died from a fatal overdose on October 24, 2019 – a week after complaining of sickness and stomach pains.

Monaghan, who appeared at Preston Crown Court (pictured) was found guilty of a further two counts of attempted murder of a third child, who cannot be named for legal reasons 

A toxicologist report showed the amount of tramadol in the 23-year-old’s blood was five times the normal prescribed dosage.

Professor Alexander Forrest – an expert in forensic chemistry and toxicology – told the hearing that amount ‘would make the toxicologist’s eyes rise up.’

He also said the toxicology report suggested Miss Adams had been taking diazepam on a regular basis leading up to her death.

Monaghan was found guilty of a further two counts of attempted murder of a third child, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Following the conviction of Jordan Monaghan, Martin Hill, deputy head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) North West’s Complex Case Unit, said: ‘Jordan Monaghan’s cruelty is beyond belief and the ruthlessness of these murders is harrowing.

‘It is difficult to comprehend the depravity that went into planning and committing these murders.

‘Three innocent people needlessly lost their lives due to Monaghan’s utter selfishness.

‘Together, the CPS and Lancashire police were able to build a strong case against him by ensuring all possible medical explanations for the deaths of the children could be discounted.

‘I cannot begin to imagine the pain and suffering that Monaghan’s actions have caused to the families of the victims. They have conducted themselves with the upmost dignity and been incredibly brave and patient throughout.

‘Nothing can make up for the loss of their loved ones, but we can only hope, following today’s conviction, they feel justice has been done. Our thoughts remain with the families.’

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