Woman Sentenced to Prison for Sleeping Next to Decomposing Partner's Body for Three Weeks
A woman has been sentenced to 14 months in prison after admitting to sleeping beside her partner's decomposing corpse for approximately three weeks in a disturbing case heard at Oxford Crown Court. Sally Smithson, 61, pleaded guilty to one count of preventing the lawful and decent burial of a body, following the death of her 71-year-old partner, John Blackwell.
Discovery of the Decomposed Body
Police discovered Mr Blackwell's body on October 21, 2025, after the couple's cleaner grew suspicious due to cancelled appointments and erratic behavior from Smithson. The body was found in an advanced state of decomposition on the bedroom floor, lying flat on its back and naked, with no signs of injuries. Prosecuting barrister Charles Ward-Jackson informed the court that the television was still on, and the bed appeared to have been slept in during the period.
Details of the Relationship and Cover-Up Attempt
The court heard that the relationship between Smithson and Mr Blackwell was described as "turbulent", involving drunken arguments and domestic violence. Smithson had previous convictions for violence against Mr Blackwell. After his suspected death from a heart attack around October 1, 2025—with the last sighting of him alive on September 19—Smithson attempted to cover up the death by sending text messages from Mr Blackwell's phone and telling people he had "gone out" or was recovering from a hospital visit.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Mitigating barrister Peter Du Feu stated that Smithson had initially called the coroner's office twice on the weekend of the death but then "put her head in the sand", expressing remorse and deep understanding of her actions. Judge Michael Gledhill KC, during sentencing, noted that Smithson had led an honest life before her first court appearance in 2018 and described the offense as "a very grave and serious offence" and "an affront to the standards of public decency".
The case highlights the tragic consequences of domestic volatility and the legal repercussions for failing to report a death properly, underscoring the importance of lawful burial practices in maintaining public decency.
