An 87 year old man is said to have killed his wife of over 60 years before leaving a heart-wrenching note stating “it all became too much” and pleading for forgiveness, according to prosecutors in court.
William Haxworth, now 88, stands accused of murdering his wife, Delia, but has been declared unfit to stand trial, Bristol Crown Court heard on Monday. The jury, who were informed they only need to decide whether Haxworth “did the acts charged against him”, learned how the defendant was seen by passers-by threatening to leap from scaffolding in Bath city centre on 18 June 2024.
Prosecutor Andrew Langdon KC stated that Haxworth confessed to those attempting to assist him and firefighters that he had murdered his wife. Upon visiting the defendant’s residence in Upper Lansdown Mews, in the city, police discovered Mrs Haxworth, aged 85, “lifeless” on a bed, Mr Langdon reported. The news comes as a mum and daughters, 6 and 8, die after being found in tank of sewage.
The prosecutor informed the jury that a note was discovered, seemingly penned by the defendant. According to Mr Langdon, the note read: “It all became too much. Please forgive me and wonderful Del. It all seemed lacking in point. You’ve all been so wonderful too. So many kind neighbours. Forgive. Forgive. Will”.
The prosecutor revealed that a post-mortem examination indicated Mrs Haxworth had been smothered. The jury was urged by Mr Langdon to consider the evidence of the pathologist’s findings, the circumstances surrounding Mrs Haxworth’s discovery, the defendant’s note, his intention to commit suicide by leaping from scaffolding, and his murder confession made to those who sought to support him, reports the Mirror.
The prosecutor stated: “Take all these things together, the prosecution suggest that provides you with the evidence that Mr Haxworth did indeed kill his wife.”
Fire service watch manager Lee Harding, summoned to Bath city centre by members of the public attempting to prevent Haxworth from jumping, relayed to the jury how the defendant spoke about his “wife of 62 years who I love very much”.
He said the defendant informed him his wife was “very ill”, adding: “I had to kill her and now it’s my turn.”
Home office forensic pathologist Amanda Jeffrey informed the jury that Mrs Haxworth was hospitalised after a fall resulted in a head injury approximately three weeks prior to her death.
Dr Jeffrey stated she was discharged following treatment and the injuries she sustained are not believed to have contributed to her demise. She mentioned that Mrs Haxworth ‘s notes indicated she was rated four on the frailty scale and she was “generally quite independent”.
The pathologist revealed she had a history of bowel cancer, but there was “no evidence (of) recurrence or spread”. Earlier, Judge William Hart clarified to the jury that their role differed from a conventional trial jury, as Haxworth was unfit.
He stated that this decision was made after considering medical evidence. The judge instructed the jurors that they needed to determine “whether the defendant did the acts charged against him” and not whether he was guilty or innocent.
Judge Hart explained this meant deciding “whether or not he unlawfully killed his wife Delia Haxworth ” but added: “Whether he intended to kill her or do her really serious harm does not have to be proved.”
He informed the jury that the defendant would not be present in court for the trial, which is anticipated to conclude on Tuesday.
