Woman Convicted of Murder After Dismembering Partner and Concealing Body for 15 Years
Anna Podedworna, aged 40, has been found guilty of murdering her female partner, dismembering the body and burying the remains in their garden where they lay undiscovered for fifteen years. The jury at Derby Crown Court returned their verdict on Tuesday, with Podedworna showing no visible emotion as the decision was announced.
Violent Relationship and Tragic Discovery
The court heard that the relationship between Podedworna and Izabela Zablocka, who were both Polish nationals who moved to the United Kingdom in 2009 seeking employment, was characterised by significant tension and volatility. Arguments frequently erupted over financial matters, alcohol consumption and Ms Zablocka's refusal to undergo gender reassignment surgery. Despite being in a lesbian relationship, Podedworna reportedly preferred male partners and had pressured Zablocka to have the gender operation, creating further conflict when Zablocka lost interest in the procedure.
Both women found work at a turkey processing factory in Derby following their relocation, with Zablocka employed as a packer and Podedworna working as a highly-skilled butcher. Izabela Zablocka, aged 30 at the time of her death, was reported missing by her family in 2010 after her regular phone calls home ceased abruptly. Derbyshire police closed the missing person investigation after just ten days, leaving the case unresolved for years.
Gruesome Details Emerge During Trial
During the three-week trial, jurors heard harrowing details about the killing and subsequent concealment. Podedworna admitted to killing Zablocka but claimed it was accidental, occurring during a violent argument in August 2010. She testified that Zablocka had attempted to strangle her, prompting her to defend herself by striking Zablocka with a horse figurine. Podedworna stated she did not believe authorities would accept her account of self-defence, leading her to take drastic measures to conceal the death.
After realising Zablocka was dead, Podedworna described how she spent two hours dismembering the body on their living room floor using a kitchen knife, cutting her partner in half before placing the remains in black bin bags. She then buried the bags under hardstanding in the garden of their former home, surrounded by animal bones. Podedworna, who was 24 at the time of the killing, testified that she felt like some type of monster during this gruesome process.
Investigation Reopened After Family Pressure
The case remained cold until 2025, when renewed efforts by Zablocka's family finally prompted action. Zablocka's daughter Katarzyna contacted missing persons charities in Poland, and a Polish journalist travelled to Derby to question Podedworna about Zablocka's whereabouts. Faced with mounting suspicion, Podedworna emailed police in May of last year to reveal the location of the body.
Following a search of the garden at the couple's former residence, investigators uncovered Zablocka's remains exactly where Podedworna had indicated. Due to the extensive passage of time, the exact cause of death could not be definitively established through forensic examination. However, police emphasised that evidence recovered from Podedworna's mobile phone provided overwhelming proof of her guilt.
Chilling Evidence and Emotional Testimony
Detective Inspector Kane Martin of Derbyshire Police described Podedworna's actions as brutal and horrific, noting that she had treated her partner no differently than another piece of meat at her workplace. He characterised Podedworna's account of events as chilling and emotionless, highlighting how she had removed all traces of Zablocka's existence and systematically obstructed justice for years.
On Podedworna's phone, officers discovered disturbing search history including queries about reformed murderers, great sinners, prison life and information related to the case itself. DI Martin stated that Podedworna only came forward with an extremely limited account of what happened when media attention and family pressure forced her into a corner as suspicion mounted.
The detective inspector praised the resolve and determination of Izabela Zablocka's family, whose persistent efforts ultimately led to the truth being uncovered. He expressed hope that the guilty verdict would provide some measure of closure for Zablocka's loved ones, acknowledging that only Podedworna truly knows what transpired that day since Zablocka cannot tell her own story.
Anna Podedworna was found guilty not only of murder but also of preventing a lawful burial and perverting the course of justice. The jury rejected her claim of accidental death during self-defence, instead concluding that she deliberately killed her partner and then engaged in an elaborate, long-term cover-up to avoid detection for her crimes.
