Wife convicted of murdering husband and hiding body in garden

HORRIFIC MURDER IN CANTERBURY: WIFE CONVICTED OF KILLING HUSBAND AND HIDING HIS BODY

A shocking case has unfolded in Canterbury, where a woman has been convicted of murdering her husband and concealing his body in their garden. Jeremy Rickard, aged 65, was discovered dead behind the family property on St Martin’s Road in Canterbury on July 11, 2024. Crime scene investigators found that his body had been stored in a cupboard within their flat before being moved to the garden. This gruesome discovery has sent shockwaves through the community, revealing a disturbing tale of deceit and violence.

A WEB OF LIES: MAUREEN RICKARDS’ DECEPTION

Maureen Rickards, Jeremy’s wife, had initially deceived their daughter by claiming that her father had traveled to Saudi Arabia for work. However, their daughter grew suspicious of the written messages she received, noticing that the style did not match her father’s usual communication. When she confronted her mother about it, Maureen claimed that Jeremy had taken his own life in Saudi Arabia. This claim quickly unraveled when police found no records of Jeremy leaving the country. Kent Police launched a search operation after Jeremy was reported missing by his step-daughter on July 5. Just six days later, Maureen was arrested following a thorough search of their family home.

A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE: THE EXTENT OF THE ABUSE REVEALED

The investigation revealed a harrowing pattern of abuse that Jeremy had endured. His body was found with multiple injuries, including five stab wounds to the chest, which were fatal. Additionally, there were non-fatal injuries sustained about 10 days prior to his death and other injuries believed to have been inflicted weeks earlier. Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Colin McKeen described the murder as horrific and emphasized that this was not an isolated incident. He stated that Maureen’s violence towards Jeremy was a recurring pattern, with evidence showing she had attacked him on multiple occasions before the fatal assault.

A LACK OF REMORSE AND ATTEMPTS TO SHIFT BLAME

Throughout the investigation, Maureen Rickards showed no remorse for her actions. Instead, she actively sought to frustrate the investigation by lying repeatedly and even attempting to shift blame onto Jeremy himself. Detective Inspector McKeen highlighted her callousness, pointing out that she had subjected Jeremy to unimaginable pain and suffering. The jury saw through her lies, and she will now face a lengthy prison sentence. Based on the findings of a pathologist and Jeremy’s last known sighting, police believe that Maureen killed her husband around June 9.

A CHILLING DISCOVERY: THE GARDENERS’ UNKNOWING ROLE

In a chilling twist, gardeners who had visited the family home on June 26, 2023, were asked by Maureen to leave the grass they had cut under some bushes. This turned out to be the exact spot where Jeremy’s body was later discovered. This detail suggests a calculated effort by Maureen to hide her crime, even involving unsuspecting individuals to aid in her deception.

JUSTICE SERVED: CONVICTION AND SENTENCING

The Crown Prosecution Service South East’s James Fisher emphasized the strength of the case against Maureen Rickards, built through forensic evidence and her actions before and after the murder. The attacks on Jeremy had become increasingly severe in the months leading up to his murder, leaving him frail and bruised, with those who knew him growing concerned for his wellbeing. Maureen’s attempts to cover up the abuse, even claiming Jeremy’s injuries resulted from a car accident, were ultimately unsuccessful. She will be sentenced next month, marking the conclusion of this tragic and disturbing case.