Woman killed ex-partner and hid body for 11 months

Warning: This story contains distressing details

A woman killed her ex-partner while he was on the toilet after allegedly abusing him for decades and then hid the body for almost a year, a court has heard.

The body of Robert Kellett, 62, was found in a bathroom covered by tarpaulin on 12 September last year, 11 months after he had been reported missing.

His body was in an "advanced state of decomposition" when he was found at a home he shared with former partner Cheryl Downs in Terry Road, High Wycombe.

A jury at Aylesbury Crown Court heard Downs, 66, was on trial for murder having accepted that she killed Kellett.

She was expected to argue that she acted in self-defence, or has diminished responsibility due to her mental state, the court was told.

Prosecuting, Caroline Carberry KC described the defendant's relationship with Kellett as "long standing, but deeply troubled".

"It was characterised by Cheryl Downs' volatile personality, financial pressure she put on him, by lies she told about him and by conflict," she added.

"Her killing of Robert Kellett was the culmination of years of controlling and abusive behaviour by her towards him.

"And it came at a time when Kellett had moved out of the house they owned, away from the area and was attempting to start a life independent of the defendant."

Kellett died of fatal head trauma, including multiple fractures of his skull caused by "repeated blows" with a heavy implement.

It happened during the weekend of 5 and 6 October 2024, when he had returned to Downs' home as he was still helping her financially.

Carberry said he had been in the bathroom, most likely on the toilet, when he was attacked, then incapacitated, and was helpless on the floor as the attack continued.

Kellett, an engineer in the West Midlands, was reported missing by his boss and police went to the house. Downs, who had already moved Kellett's car from outside the house, said she had not seen him and would not let them in.

Police did not investigate further at that time, the court heard.

His body was discovered in September 2025 by a teenage lodger who was moving into the house and discovered a "terrible smell", the court heard.

The prosecution said Downs' "physical abuse and intimidation" was worse when she was drinking. She would "manipulate" Kellett, control his finances, and paid for wine and cigarettes using his card the day after she had killed him.

Jurors were told psychologists had identified "narcissistic and psychopathic" personality traits in her, and Kellett "feared for his safety" during their relationship.

He had contacted police several times since 2010, including just five days before he was killed, the court heard. Downs had been arrested multiple times for assault but each time he did not press charges.

Downs has admitted charges of preventing a lawful and decent burial, and attempted fraud in relation to her conduct after his death.

The trial continues.

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