See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy ELIZABETH HAIGH, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 14:36 BST, 11 September 2026 | Updated: 14:41 BST, 11 September 2026
A former soldier is facing life in prison after strangling his 'loving' wife to death amid unfounded fears she would leave him just one year into their marriage.Michael Davies, 58, previously pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Tracey Davies, 48, but denied murdering her, at their home in Cefn Cribwr, Bridgend, South Wales.Mrs Davies was found dead on April 18 last year when family members entered the property after becoming concerned about a lack of contact.Newport Crown Court heard she had been strangled by her husband, who went on to stab himself but recovered from his injuries.He has now been found guilty of murdering Mrs Davies, who has been described by her family as 'a truly extraordinary woman' whose life was 'cruelly and brutally ended by the man she loved'.Newport Crown Court heard Davies, who worked in Abu Dhabi at the time after leaving the army in 2023, had recently been sent home because of poor mental health and was paranoid his wife would leave him.After his return to the UK, he became increasingly convinced she was planning to 'go off'.At trial, the court heard he had searched online for ways of dealing with paranoia and jealousy, including 'how to stop being jealous in a relationship'. Tracey Davies, 48, was found dead at the home she shared with her husband in Cefn Cribwr, Bridgend, South Wales, on April 18, 2025 Michael Davies, 58, has been found guilty of her murder - he then tried to kill himselfOther searches included: 'how to fight paranoia', 'paranoia self care', 'types of mental health problems', 'how to stop paranoia thoughts', 'how to stop paranoia thoughts in a relationship'.After killing his wife, Davies stabbed himself and also took an overdose in a bid to end his own life. He was taken to hospital and recovered.When questioned by police, the court heard Davies admitted killing his wife but claimed he had lost control and had depression and anxiety at the time.After a jury declared Davies guilty of murder, Judge Daniel Williams told him: 'You have been convicted by the jury of the murder of Tracey Davies. The only sentence available to the court in those circumstances is a sentence of life imprisonment.'The court must determine the minimum period you must serve before the parole board will consider it safe to release you. That will be the function of the court when it sentences you.'Mrs Davies' family said in a statement: 'As a family we have not and will never come to terms with losing Tracey.'To lose her in such a horrendous and violent way only worsens the pain that we feel.'To hear the graphic details of how she was killed by the person she loved has been complete torment to us.'No length of sentence given to Michael following today's verdict will ever bring back Tracey.'Tracey did nothing but love and care for Michael Davies, even in her final days she displayed this love and care.'This only further sums her up as the caring and thoughtful person that she was and this is how she will be remembered.'Detective Chief Inspector Claire Lamerton of South Wales Police said: 'This is an awful case that has deeply affected not only the immediate family but also the wider community who knew Tracey Davies.'During the trial it was highlighted that Tracey Davies was a devoted wife, mother, stepmother, and step-grandmother and she would do anything for anyone and was nothing but a supportive and loving wife to Mr Davies.'We extend our sincere condolences to Tracey's family and all those who have been affected and hope that this verdict will allow the family time to properly grieve the loss of Tracey.'Davies will be sentenced later this year.
