Life Sentence for Transgender Woman Who Fatally Stabbed Former Partner
A transgender woman who stabbed her murderer boyfriend to death after meeting him in a men's prison has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 27 years. Aurin Makepeace, 43, from North Wales, was found guilty of murdering Steven Rothwell, 41, a convicted murderer, at his flat in Macclesfield, Cheshire, in August last year.
Discovery of the Body and Court Proceedings
Mr Rothwell's body was discovered in the bathroom of his home on Cross Street in Macclesfield on August 19, 2025. He had suffered a single stab wound to his chest. Following a trial at Chester Crown Court last month, Makepeace was convicted of murder and sentenced today to life imprisonment, with a minimum of 27 years to serve before parole consideration.
Complex Relationship Background
Makepeace and Mr Rothwell were former partners who initially met while both were incarcerated in prison. Although their romantic relationship formally ended around 2023, they maintained regular contact and had both been involved with other people since that time. On August 15, 2025, Makepeace travelled from her home in Prestatyn, Wales, to stay with Mr Rothwell at his flat for a few days.
Events Leading to the Fatal Incident
During the visit, on Monday, August 18, 2025, a recent ex-girlfriend of Mr Rothwell's, Katie Taylor, revealed in a phone call that she had slept with another man. This disclosure angered Mr Rothwell, prompting him to leave his flat. The court heard that Mr Rothwell then argued with Ms Taylor in the street near his residence. Makepeace, who was present, assaulted Ms Taylor by slapping her in the face and verbally abusing her.
A passing motorist witnessed the altercation and reported it to the police. An officer attended shortly afterward, speaking with Ms Taylor and Mr Rothwell at his flat, where Makepeace remained. At that time, Makepeace was reportedly irate and expressed distress over the incident, frequently directing anger towards Mr Rothwell's ex-girlfriend.
The Fatal Stabbing and Aftermath
Several hours after the police departed that same evening, Makepeace fatally stabbed Mr Rothwell in the chest following an argument. She stayed at his flat overnight and left the following morning. Makepeace claimed in court that she was "grappling" with Mr Rothwell while he held a knife, and it inadvertently entered his chest. She asserted she was too upset and scared to call an ambulance and that Mr Rothwell was still alive when she left.
However, Cheshire Police detailed that on August 19, 2025, Makepeace made multiple calls to friends, disclosing she had stabbed Mr Rothwell, and sent a voice note saying, "I've murdered my boyfriend." Later that night, at 10:19 PM, she rang 999, identifying herself as "Katie" and stating she had stabbed Mr Rothwell, who was dead at the address. Makepeace falsely claimed to still be at the location, though she was actually back in rural North Wales.
Police Investigation and Forensic Evidence
Police attended the flat at 1A Cross Street, Macclesfield, at 10:43 PM and found Mr Rothwell deceased with a yellow blanket placed over his body. Officers and medical experts determined the violent attack had not occurred minutes or hours before the 999 call. An investigation led to Makepeace's arrest after extensive CCTV and phone analysis.
Forensic investigation revealed the knife had likely been washed and placed among other items in the kitchen. Mr Rothwell's blood was found on the knife, and Makepeace's DNA was identified on the handle. Dr Medcalf, a forensic pathologist, testified that Mr Rothwell would have died within 10 minutes of the injury and that Makepeace's account was very unlikely.
Prosecution and Sentencing Remarks
Detective Inspector Simon Mills stated, "From the outset, Makepeace's account of how the knife 'accidentally' entered Mr Rothwell's chest was not plausible. Evidentially we proved that Makepeace was lying, and we proved that she stayed the night in the address which again completely contradicted her account in interview." He added, "The jury saw straight through Makepeace's lies and delivered a unanimous guilty verdict with less than two hours deliberation time."
Makepeace is now paying the price for her actions and lies, with a life sentence and a minimum of 27 years in prison. Detective Inspector Mills expressed hope that the sentence brings some closure and justice for Mr Rothwell's friends and family, who endured the stress and heartache of the trial.
Family Tribute to Steven Rothwell
Steven Rothwell's family released a statement thanking the judge, jury, counsel, and Cheshire Police for their support. They described Mr Rothwell as resilient, mischievous, and having the gentlest of hearts, with a witty sense of humour. He found comfort in literature, often reading in coffee shops or libraries, and will be deeply missed by his loved ones.
