Monster Convicted of Brutal Murder of Mother
A shocking case of murder has come to light as Matthew Waddell, 35, is found guilty of brutally ending the life of his ex-partner, Sarah Albone, 38. The crime unfolded in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, when Waddell subjected Sarah to a vicious and frenzied attack, resulting in devastating injuries.
After the horrific act, Waddell concealed Sarah’s lifeless body inside a suitcase, which he later discarded in a wheelie bin at her residence. In a disturbing confession, he chillingly admitted to feeling nothing as he described the gruesome details of the murder.
Following the trial, Waddell now faces a life sentence for his heinous crime. The court learned that, one month after the assault, on Christmas Eve, Waddell nonchalantly sent a video message to a friend while Sarah’s body remained nearby, in an advanced state of decomposition.
His message bizarrely revolved around Christmas and a glass of wine, seemingly disconnected from the horrific crime scene. The gruesome discovery of Sarah’s body did not occur until three months later, on February 25 of this year.
Sarah’s remains were wrapped in industrial clingfilm and concealed beneath carpet remnants. When the suitcase was finally opened, officers found Sarah curled up in her pajamas, having suffered fatal airway obstruction from catastrophic head injuries. Additional injuries included broken ribs and harm to her body, indicating a tragic end in late November 2022.
The court was presented with evidence that Sarah, who battled multiple sclerosis, endured a relentless assault involving punches, kicks, and stomps while getting in and out of bed. During a police search of her home, a note, allegedly written by Waddell, was uncovered, describing the brutal attack, including caving in her head and using a towel to stop the bleeding.
Waddell claimed to feel nothing during this horrifying act. Blood splatter was evident on the bedroom wall, and a significant amount had soaked through the carpet onto the floorboards below.
In an attempt to cover up the crime, Waddell deceived Sarah’s family and friends by falsely claiming she was receiving hospital treatment and couldn’t be reached. He also exploited her bank card and sold her belongings as her body decomposed in the wheelie bin.
However, his deceptive façade began to unravel when Sarah’s step-sister, Corinne Foster, became suspicious of text messages. The couple’s relationship, described as “toxic,” had a troubled history. Although Sarah tried to end it in January 2021, they reconciled three months later. Following a second attempt to break free from Waddell, she faced continuous harassment until his arrest.
Waddell’s obsession with Sarah, as described by prosecutor Martin Mulgrew, led him to ignore police bail conditions and repeatedly visit her home. Now, awaiting sentencing, he remains in custody.
For those who may need assistance in similar situations, Women’s Aid offers valuable advice:
- Keep your phone close at all times.
- Reach out to organizations such as Women’s Aid and SupportLine for help.
- In cases of immediate danger, dial 999.
- Familiarize yourself with the Silent Solution, a method of reporting abuse without speaking by dialing “55.”
- Always carry some money for emergency situations.
- If you suspect an attack, seek refuge in a lower-risk area with an exit and access to a telephone.
- Avoid high-risk areas like the kitchen and garage, where weapons may be present, and spaces where you could be trapped.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is available for assistance on 01708 765200 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 6 pm to 8 pm. You can also reach out via email at [email protected]. Additionally, Women’s Aid provides a live chat service on weekdays from 8 am to 6 pm and on weekends from 10 am to 6 pm. The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is available 24/7 at 0808 2000 247.