Daughter says she killed elderly mother because she loved her too much to put her into care

Daughter says she killed elderly mother because she loved her too much to put her into care Glowka told police she was the sole carer for her elderly mother - Bookmark A daughter who strangled her elderly mother with a belt on Christmas morning before attempting to take her own life has been told she is expected to go to prison. Stefania Glowka, 64, killed Tamara Glowka, 86, at their address in Devizes, Wiltshire, on 25 December last year. Glowka had previously pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of her mother but denied her murder. A jury at Bristol Crown Court acquitted her of murder. She will be sentenced on Tuesday afternoon by Judge Julian Lambert. Addressing the jury, the judge said: “Trial by jury is a vital part of our functioning democracy. “Thank you for helping promote democracy in our land.” During Glowka’s trial, the court heard she had been the primary carer for her mother, who she lived and shared a bedroom with. A jury was told Glowka said she wanted to “let her mum go” after both women experienced a deterioration in their mental health. Simon Jones, prosecuting, said: “Tamara Glowka was 86-years old when she was strangled with a belt in what was a very deliberate act of violence. “The plan had ultimately been for the defendant, Ms Glowka, to commit suicide after killing her mother. “That suicide attempt failed and the subsequent police investigation into events that day (the prosecution say) has established a tragic but determined murder.” Mr Jones told the court Glowka had prepared her mother’s favourite meal on Christmas Eve and spent a “nice evening” with her, before they both went to bed. Glowka, who never married or had children of her own, would later tell police she was the sole carer for her mother, who had suffered a decline in her mental and physical health and had recently been diagnosed with schizophrenia. The court heard Glowka struggled to sleep that night and felt she had no energy to continue to care for her mother. Glowka later told the police it was a “spur of the moment” decision to strangle her using a belt as she rose from her bed to use the bathroom in the early hours of the morning. The court heard Glowka laid next to her deceased mother and attempted to take her own life. Despite losing consciousness for some time, she later awoke and phoned the police to explain what had happened. In the call, she said she had been the sole carer for her mother over a period of 17 years and described herself as being “at the end of my road”. When officers arrived at the property, Glowka directed them to a box containing documents including a letter addressed to a close friend, in which she said: “I killed my mum as I cannot continue to look after her and I love her too much to put her into an institutionalised care. “I also cannot envisage life on my own, old age and inevitable health issues.” The jury was told two psychiatrists had assessed Glowka and believed she was suffering from a recurrent depressive disorder. If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email [email protected], or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.