A daughter who cared for her elderly mother has been sentenced to eight years in prison after killing her on Christmas Day. Stefania Glowka, 64, admitted manslaughter for the death of her 86-year-old mother Tamara Glowka at their home in Devizes, Wiltshire.
The incident occurred on December 25, 2025. Glowka used a belt to strangle her mother after she woke up to use the toilet. She then attempted to take her own life by stabbing herself but failed, before calmly calling 999 and stating: "I just killed my mother."
Court Proceedings
Glowka was cleared of murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter. The judge, His Honour Judge Julian Lambert, described the case as "utterly extraordinary" and "sad." He noted that Glowka had shown "extraordinary kindness" and gave her mother "the highest level of care." The judge stated: "Your mother had no one else in the world than you - you had no one else in the world than your mother. You were devoted to one another."
Background
In a police interview, Glowka explained her state of mind: "I felt that I've just got nothing left to give and something has to be done. Mum and I are so close I could not leave her with someone else because she is so dependent on me and she didn't like other people in our lives. I thought the best would be to end all this here and there." She also said using the belt was the "easiest way to let my mother go" and expressed a desire for them to die on the same day.
The victim had been sectioned and suffered from high cholesterol, high blood pressure, thyroid issues, and transient psychosis, which caused hallucinations. Glowka described their relationship as inseparable, stating: "All my life we lived just the two of us, first in Poland then after I moved to the UK. I never married, never had children, we don't have any family left, we are like two dinosaurs at the end of the line."
Legal Arguments
Prosecutor Simon Jones argued that the guilty plea did not reflect the full extent of her responsibility. However, the defence contended that Glowka's "ability to form rational judgment had been substantially impaired" due to clinical depression, which "distorted her impression of the situation." A letter from Glowka read in court expressed remorse: "My mother was the best mother in the world. I felt very bad that I let her down at her most vulnerable when she needed me the most."
For emotional support, contact the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, or visit a Samaritans branch.
