Husband told police she had taken own life - now he's guilty of rape and murder

Man guilty of raping and murdering wife before staging scene to look like suicideMichael Thompson, 56, was convicted of the brutal attack on Kimberley Thompson, 43, where he raped and murdered his estranged wife at their home in NorthamptonKimberley Thompson was raped and murdered (Image: Northants Police)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.

Michael Thompson has been found guilty after a trial

(

Northants Police)

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. 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.