Daryl Berman, 72, has been found guilty of murdering her husband David, 84, at their home on Butterstile Lane in Prestwich. The verdict was delivered on June 23 at Minshull Street Crown Court after a retrial, following a hung jury in December 2025. She now faces a life sentence.
Background of the Couple
Daryl Berman was born in Manchester in June 1954, the daughter of a textile merchant and a housewife. Her first marriage lasted about five years. She met David on a blind date, and they married; their 28th wedding anniversary would have been in November 2024. David, a self-employed joiner, had retired months before his death due to age-related health issues. He had children from a previous relationship, and both his daughter Debbie and son Daryl spoke highly of the couple's relationship.
The Incident on March 13, 2024
On the day of his death, David had visited a soft play centre with his daughter and great-granddaughter. He returned home before Daryl, who had left homemade soup for him. When Daryl returned, she made a chicken salad sandwich and brought a vegetable knife into the lounge to cut cucumber and tomatoes. She claimed she heard a noise from the kitchen, found David face down in blood, and called 999. Paramedics attempted CPR, but David died at the scene.
Initially, police did not treat the death as suspicious, deeming it a 'special procedure investigation' for accidental deaths. However, five days later, a post-mortem examination revealed a stab wound to the stomach and a defensive wound to a finger, prompting a murder investigation.
Prosecution and Defense Arguments
Prosecutors argued Daryl deliberately stabbed her husband 'for a reason known only to her'. Home Office pathologist Dr Philip Lumb testified that the stab wound had 'typical features of a homicide' and that an accidental fall was 'very unlikely to have caused the fatal wound'. The combination of wounds made an accident 'inconceivable', he said.
Daryl maintained her innocence, stating David must have fallen onto the knife. She told police: 'I heard what sounded like a stumble or a fall... I screamed and ran into the kitchen.' Her barrister Michael Hayton asked: 'Why would I do that to the man I love?' She replied: 'No.'
Family Perspectives
David's daughter Debbie said: 'They adored each other... Daryl did say she felt her life was on hold as she looked after my Dad.' His son Daryl described his father as 'a young 84-year-old' who had aged recently, adding: 'They had a good marriage.' David had shown signs of dementia and had recently suffered falls, including breaking his leg putting out the bins.
Verdict and Aftermath
After 13 hours and 38 minutes of deliberation, the jury convicted Daryl Berman of murder by a majority of 11 to one. She was remanded to HMP Styal. The motive remains unclear, with no history of domestic violence or police call-outs. Daryl continues to profess her innocence, leaving the family with unanswered questions.
