The suspected XL Bully dogs who mauled a beloved grandmother to death during a horrific attack along the Essex seafront are owned by a breeder and wannabe rapper, MailOnline can reveal today.

Esther Martin, 68, was visiting her 11-year-old grandson when she was attacked by the massive animals.

Essex Police officers were called to a property at Jaywick Sands, near Clacton-on-Sea at around 4pm yesterday, where they found a woman seriously wounded who later died.

MailOnline can reveal that the dogs – which were destroyed by police – were owned by breeder Ashley Warren, a wannabe rapper who goes by the name Wyless Man. 

Tattooed East London rapper Warren, who features in drill music videos online, posted a Facebook ad selling XL Bully puppies for £500 in November, we can also reveal.

Police said the breeds which attacked Ms Martin are yet to be determined, but the family claimed they were XL Bully dogs. Images show how at least one appears to be an XL Bully-type, while another looks like a Rottweiler. A 39-year-old man from Jaywick was arrested on suspicion of dangerous dogs offences and remains in custody.

Retired Tesco worker Ms Marten, whose grandson is Warren’s son, had previously warned that the dogs were dangerous, her devastated family told MailOnline this afternoon.

The dogs were owned by breeder Ashley Warren, a wannabe rapper who goes by the name Wyless Man (pictured)

Tattooed East London rapper Warren, who features in drill music videos online, also posted a Facebook ad selling XL Bully puppies for £500 in November

Esther Martin, 68 (pictured) from Woodford Green, London – had previously told the dogs’ owner that they were dangerous

Warren’s social media shows XL Bully-type dogs at his home

The large dogs also feature in his rap music videos posted online

Pictured is Warren alongside grabs of his dogs in his music videos

A rap video created in memory of Ms Martin’s late daughter – and Warren’s partner – shows the grandmother alongside Warren and her other family members

The young boy came out ‘shouting for help’ when the attack happened, the family said. 

His mother, Clare Louise Hayes, passed away two years ago and was Ms Martin’s daughter. 

Ms Martin’s daughter Sonia told MailOnline that the family found out about their mother’s death at 10pm last night, when police visited her Chesterfield home.

Sonia Martin, 47, was at the scene this morning along with siblings Paul Martin, 45, and Kelly Fretwell, 46. She said her mother – from Woodford Green, London – had previously told the dogs’ owner that they were dangerous.

Sonia told MailOnline: ‘They were XL Bullies. There were eight of them in the house, six puppies and two adults. None of them neutered, not registered. The owner’s words were ‘no one is going to tell me what to do with my own f*****g dogs.’ 

‘Mum had raised concerns about the dogs, over their breed and their temperament. Her grandson was in the house. He came running out shouting for help. We would like to thank all the neighbours who tried to help our mum.’

Ms Fretwell said about her mother: ‘She was amazing. She was retired and trying to bring her life back on track after the passing of my sister two years ago. She came to visit my nephew and now she is dead.’

The family say the attack happened at 4pm but they did not find out what had happened until 10pm when police arrived at their front door.

She said: ‘This is a very distressing time for our family. If someone knocked on your door at night to say that your mum had been mauled to death, would you believe them?’

In a press conference this afternoon, Chief Superintendent Glen Pavelin said: ‘Our officers arrived within minutes but sadly the 68-year-old woman died at the scene.

‘I want to express my condolences to her family and friends and there are specialist officers supporting them.

‘When Essex Police officers entered the house, their priority was to keep the community safe. Their unflinching bravery and professionalism ensured that there is no ongoing threat to the people of Essex.

‘Both dogs were destroyed inside the house. I would also like to thank the local people who tried to get into the house to help Esther Martin. You should be proud.’

He refused to confirm the breed of the dog and didn’t name the owner, but confirmed they had a ‘familiar relationship’ to Ms Martin.

He continued: ‘Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by what has happened. I’ve seen the flowers laid down for Esther, as have my officers.

‘I would like to than all those you have paid tribute to her.’ 

When asked by reporters about the claims there have been previous complaints about the dogs, he said: ‘The investigation will look at all avenues of enquiry and background.’

His mother, Clare Louise Hayes, passed away two years ago and was Ms Martin’s daughter

Officers added that there was no wider threat to the community and the scene is now safe for members of the public. Pictured is the scene today

The police said the breeds which attacked Ms Martin are yet to be determined, but the family have claimed they were XL Bully dogs

Police said a 39-year-old man from Jaywick was arrested on suspicion of dangerous dogs offences and remains in custody

Warren is seen in his music video rapping in front of a cannon

Warren is a rapper who uses the name Wyless Man and posts music videos online

The two adult dogs feature in Warren’s music videos posted online

A helicopter joined several police cars and an ambulance following reports yesterday

‘There could have been two victims – my nephew has not only lost his mum and grandmother but he had to witness all this violence. He could have been killed as well.’

Officers added that there was no wider threat to the community and the scene is now safe for members of the public.

Chief Supt Pavelin said earlier: ‘Experienced detectives are leading the investigation to identify exactly what has happened. My thoughts, and those of our officers and staff, are with the family of the woman who died yesterday.

‘This incident will be a huge shock to the community and I understand their concerns. We’ll have officers in the area throughout today so please come and speak to them if you have any information or are worried.

‘Experienced detectives are leading the investigation to identify exactly what has happened. I know there will be speculation about the breed of the dogs involved. We’re waiting for confirmation from experts about this before releasing further details and I’d ask people not to speculate. If anyone has any information about what has happened please contact us.’

Those with CCTV or other footage of the incident should contact the police, quoting incident 723 of February 3. 

The scene at Jaywick Sands yesterday evening as emergency services attended

Emergency services were pictured at the scene yesterday it was cordoned off

The woman died at the scene, and Essex Police said it was trying to establish the circumstances which led to the incident. Pictured is the scene last night

Essex Police officers were called to a property at Jaywick Sands, near Clacton-on-Sea, at around 4pm yesterday, where they found a woman who was seriously injured

Hundreds of wooden chalets were built in Jaywick in the 1930s primarily as cheap holiday homes for working-class Londoners. 

But in recent decades it has been described as a ‘dumping ground’ for social services and ten years ago was described as ‘the most deprived area in Britain.’

The local council has in recent years poured millions of pounds into the community, building offices, workshops and café in an attempt to improve the area.

But many of the properties are still run-down or vandalised and the crime-rate is the highest in the area. A three-bedroomed bungalow in Jaywick costs as little as £70,000 but a dilapidated chalet on an unmade road can cost as little as £40,000.

The attack comes just a few days after new rules over the illegal XL Bully breed were put into force.

From the start of this month, police can now seize the dogs if they are not registered or don’t comply with the restrictions.

Owners can also face a criminal record and unlimited fine. 

The ban was brought in after a string of attacks by members of the breed which have killed and seriously injured both humans and other dogs in recent years. 

It has infuriated lovers of the breed, who have held protests against the law, demanded it be scrapped and even said they would consider leaving the country over it.

Since December 31 it has also been a legal requirement to make sure XL Bullies are microchipped, neutered, and muzzled and kept on a lead in public.

Scotland has announced it will attempt to put a similar ban in place by July 31, while Northern Ireland is also set to make a decision on the breed shortly. 

Seized dogs will be taken to kennels before a court decides if they should either be destroyed or deemed not a danger to public safety.

Injuries and deaths after attacks by XL bully-type dogs

Jonathan Halstead, 35

Jonathan Halstead, 35 – January 29, 2020

Jonathan died from a severe neck injury and bites after being attacked in his home in Oldham, Greater Manchester by his pet Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bronson.

It is believed the dog attacked him when its owner suffered an epileptic fit.

 

Jack Lis, 10

Jack Lis, 10 – November 8, 2021

Schoolboy Jack Lis, ten, suffered catastrophic injuries after being mauled by an American XL bully dog called Beast while visiting a friend’s home in Penyrheol in Caerphilly, Wales on November 8, 2021.

Neighbours and Welsh Ambulance Service paramedics desperately tried to save him but he died at the scene. Armed police destroyed the dog on site.

 

Adam Watts, 55

Adam Watts, 55 – December 22, 2021 

Adam Watts, 55, was attacked at the Juniper Kennels and Cattery in Kirkton of Auchterhouse, near Dundee, and was pronounced dead at the scene on December 22, 2021. 

 

MARCH 21, 2022: Undated family handout photo issued by Merseyside Police of Bella-Rae Birch

Bella-Rae Birch, 17 months – March 21, 2022

Toddler Bella-Rae Birch was attacked by her family’s pet American bully XL dog when she was just 17 months old.

The vicious dog snatched the child out of her mother’s arms while they were at their home in Blackbrook, St Helens, Merseyside, on March 21 last year.

 

Keven Jones, 62

Keven Jones, 62 – May 28, 2022

Keven Jones died after he was attacked by an American Bully XL dog in Wrexham, Wales on May 28 last year.

Ambulance workers attempted to save him but they were unable to stop his left leg bleeding.

Mr Jones was then pronounced dead at his son’s house following the attack. 

 

Joanne Robinson, 43

Joanne Robinson, 43 – July 15, 2022

Mother-of-two Joanne Robinson, 43, was killed by her American bully XL dog, Rocco, after it ‘turned mad in the extreme heat’ in July last year.

She died at the scene of the attack at home in Rotherham, South Yorkshire while her partner, Jamie Stead, was left with injuries to his hands, stomach and face as he tried to pull the animal off her.

Joanne’s mother Dot, of Wath-upon-Dearne, South Yorkshire, revealed at the time that Rocco had previously fought with their other dog Lola – and she had warned her daughter to ‘get rid of one of them’.

 

Ian ‘Wiggy’ Symes, 34

Ian Symes, 34 – August 2022 

Ian ‘Wiggy’ Symes, 34, who is understood to have been walking a bully XL dog himself at a recreation ground in Fareham, Hampshire, died at the scene following a horrific dog attack in August 2022.

His devastated family said he was ‘doing something he loved’ when he died in the field in Fareham, Hampshire.

 

Ann Dunn, 65

Ann Dunn, 65 – October 3, 2022

Ann Dunn, 65, was found collapsed with ‘catastrophic injuries’ at her Liverpool home she shared with seven dogs on October 3 last year.

She was mauled to death by dogs including an American bully XL – and had been sent to hospital a year before her death because she had been bitten by a dog. 

 

Shirley Patrick, 83

Shirley Patrick, 83 – December 3, 2022

Widowed grandmother Shirley Patrick, 83, died after being viciously mauled by an XL bully in her own home.

The retired nurse died in hospital 17 days after suffering ‘life-threatening injuries’ during the ‘hellish’ and ‘violent’ dog attack in Caerphilly, South Wales on December 3 last year.

 

Jonathan Hogg, 37

Jonathan Hogg, 37 – May 18, 2023

Jonathan Hogg, 37, was mauled to death by an American XL bully dog when it turned on him while he was looking after it for a friend.

He entered the pen when it went for him, leaving bite wounds on his arm, leg and head, an inquest heard.

He was rushed to hospital but died of his injuries after the mauling in Leigh, Greater Manchester, on May 18 this year.

 

Ian Price, 52

Ian Price, 52 – September 14, 2023

On Thursday, September 14, ‘pillar of the community’ Ian Price, 52, was attacked and killed by two ‘devil’ XL bully dogs after they jumped out of his neighbour’s window in Stonnall, Staffordshire.

Mr Price was attacked and killed by the two dogs which jumped out of a neighbour’s window yards from a primary school. He reportedly died defending his elderly mother from the animals.

The dogs bit him and ripped the clothes from his body leaving him dying in a pool of blood in his boxer shorts in the horror attack just feet from his home.

 

Ian Langley, 54

Ian Langley, 54 – October 3, 2023

Ian Langley, 54, was set upon on the estate in Sunderland on October 3 this year by an enormous XL bully dog which grabbed him by the neck as he bent down to pick up his Patterdale terrier pup.

The attack left Mr Langley needing CPR for around 15 minutes as emergency services fought to stop heavy bleeding from his wounds. He died from his injuries.