A sales manager has pleaded guilty to murdering his wife, described as a "beautiful" and talented artist, by strangling her in a fit of jealous rage while their two young daughters slept.
A Fatal Night of Jealousy
Paul Knight, 35, admitted killing 32-year-old Isobella "Izzy" Knight at their semi-detached home on Donnington Road in Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire. The attack occurred on June 13 last year. Northampton Crown Court heard how Knight, consumed by jealousy, violently turned on his "incredible" wife.
The court was told he strangled Izzy, a regular church-goer, as their children lay asleep in their bedrooms. In a desperate attempt to conceal his crime, Knight asked his mother to care for the girls the following morning, falsely claiming both he and Izzy were unwell.
Botched Cover-Up and Discovery
After his children were collected, Knight made several unsuccessful attempts to take his own life. He then left the property and deliberately crashed his car in the car park of a nearby McDonald's restaurant.
Police officers attending the collision found his behaviour suspicious. This prompted them to search his home address, where they made the grim discovery of Izzy's body. A post-mortem examination later established the cause of death as pressure applied to her neck.
A Family's Devastation and Awaiting Sentence
Knight was immediately remanded into custody. He is now awaiting sentencing, which is scheduled for January 29.
Leading the investigation, Detective Chief Inspector Torie Harrison of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit Major Crime Team stated: "This is a tragic case of violence against a woman who had everything to live for... Her life was cut short by a man fuelled by jealousy and thoughts only for himself. He has left two daughters without a mother."
Izzy's heartbroken family paid a moving tribute to her. Her mother, Helena, said: "I want everyone to know that Izzy was so much more than a victim. She was a loving mother, a treasured daughter, a best friend in sister form, a talented artist, and a great friend."
Her father, Tim, remembered her as a wonderful mother who “just shone”, adding that the family would ensure her daughters grew up knowing how incredible she was.
