Man guilty of raping and murdering wife before staging scene to look like suicide

Man guilty of raping and murdering wife before staging scene to look like suicide Michael Thompson, 56, was convicted of the brutal attack on Kimberley Thompson, 43, where he raped and murdered his estranged wife at their home in Northampton A man has been found guilty of the rape and murder of his estranged wife at their home in Northampton after trying to make it look like a suicide. Michael Thompson, 56, was convicted of the brutal attack on Kimberley Thompson, 43, at the end of a six week trial at Nottingham Crown Court. During the trial, the jury heard how Thompson had subjected Kim to years of domestic abuse, including controlling, coercive behaviour, and physical violence, but that Kim had made plans to move on without him following their divorce which was nearing completion. Thompson and Kim, who were married for 19 years, had been separated for two years but still lived in the same house in Pinewood Road, Northampton, although they had separate bedrooms in the home. Northamptonshire Police said: "Sometime between midnight and 3.30am on Saturday, August 9, last year, Thompson went into Kim’s bedroom and raped and suffocated her. "He then spent time staging her bedroom to make it look as though Kim had died by suicide and posted messages on her social media accounts before calling East Midlands Ambulance Service at 5.30am for help. "Thompson was quick to paint a picture to paramedics and police officers of Kim taking her own life. However, in the aftermath of her death, family and friends shared their disbelief that Kim had taken her own life, that she had been making plans for the future and shared with police officers the history of domestic abuse. "A formal murder investigation was launched on August 12, and Thompson was arrested on suspicion of Kim’s death." In addition to being found guilty of the rape and murder of Kim, Thompson was also found guilty of two counts of perverting the course of justice, one for covering up the rape, the other for covering up her murder. Detective Chief Inspector Torie Harrison, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, led the investigation into Kim’s murder. She said: “I hope today provides Kim’s family and friends with some comfort. It became clear throughout our investigation that Kim had been subjected to domestic abuse for much of her relationship with Thompson, with manipulation, coercive control, and physical violence the norm. “Over the years Thompson stripped Kim’s confidence away but in the time since their separation, friends and family began to see the old Kim re-emerging with a renewed enthusiasm for life.” And DCI Harrison continued: “Not only did Thompson brutally rape and murder Kim, he took the time to stage her death in order to make people believe she had committed suicide before calling for help. “I have no doubt these actions caused further upset to Kim’s loved ones, who have shown an enormous amount of grace and dignity throughout our investigation and during the trial.” During the trial, the court heard how Kim made contact with a domestic abuse support service in 2013 before withdrawing her complaint due to the fear of what would happen if she reported what was happening to her. DCI Harrison said: “The level of abuse Kim was subjected to over the last two decades was horrific, and I want to take this opportunity to say to anyone who may be living a similar life that help is available. “We have specialist police officers who work with survivors of domestic abuse, including coercive control and physical abuse, and there are other organisations that also offer support and practical help if you don’t want to speak to the police. "My plea to anyone who finds themself in this situation is to please ask for help, no one will judge you, but we can help you take that first step to becoming safe.” For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk. If you or your family have lost a friend or family member through fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) can offer specialist and expert support and advocacy. For more info visit www.aafda.org.uk.