A man has been charged with murder, rape, and sexual assault after a two-year-old girl was found dead at a property in Chertsey, Surrey. Kevin Kerjean, 31, a French national born in the Central African Republic, appeared at Guildford Crown Court today and was remanded in custody ahead of his next hearing in September.
Kerjean faces three charges: murder, rape of a child under 13, and sexual assault of a child under 13. The charges were brought on Saturday, 27 June, following his initial appearance at Guildford Magistrates’ Court. The defendant is due to appear again at Guildford Crown Court on Monday, 14 September. A provisional three-week trial has been set for 4 January 2027 at the same court.
Police were called to an address in Pyrcroft Road, Chertsey, at approximately 5.40 pm on Thursday, 25 June, after receiving reports of a concern for safety. On arrival, officers discovered the body of a two-year-old girl inside the property. Surrey Police initially reported her age as three but later corrected this to two. Her identity has not been released in court.
Surrey Police have confirmed that the victim was Kerjean’s daughter. In a statement, a police spokesperson said: “We can confirm that the victim was the daughter of Kevin Kerjean.” Officers believe the incident took place within a family setting and that those involved were known to each other. Police have stated they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident and have said there is no reason to believe there is any risk to the wider public.
The investigation
Detectives are continuing to investigate the exact cause of the child’s death, which has not yet been released. The investigation is being led by Surrey Police’s Major Crime Team under the codename “Operation Northwall”. A significant police presence has been maintained in Pyrcroft Road throughout the inquiry, with officers remaining at the scene in the days following the discovery.
Detective Chief Superintendent Jon Groenen described the incident as “tragic” and said the force’s thoughts are with the child’s mother and extended family, as well as everyone who knew her. “Our teams are working hard to build a picture of what happened, and a significant police presence will remain in Pyrcroft Road over the coming days,” he said. “We appreciate that the incident itself, as well as the significant police presence, will be concerning for residents and we would like to thank them for their cooperation as we conduct our investigation.”
Police are appealing for information and have set up a Major Incident Public Portal for anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage to submit it, quoting Operation Northwall. Anonymous information can also be passed to Crimestoppers. Tributes, including flowers and balloons, have been left at the entrance to Syward Place, a flat complex on the corner of Pyrcroft Road and Bell Bridge Road.
Surrey Police have also moved to address speculation about Kerjean’s immigration status, which had circulated online. The force confirmed that Kerjean legally entered the UK and applied for EU Settled Status in December 2020. He was granted leave to remain in the UK in March 2021, with an extension allowing him to stay until March 2031. Police explicitly refuted claims that the incident occurred in an asylum seeker House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), stating this was incorrect.
