A mother-of-two has died from injuries sustained in a hammer attack, six days after the assault at her home in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. Her partner was found dead at a nearby reservoir on the same night.
Attack and discovery
Zoe Marie Dixon, 35, was attacked shortly after midnight on June 16 at the family's semi-detached home on Rocky Road. She was taken to University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, with serious injuries. Her partner, Nathan Thomas, 39, is believed to have carried out the assault before fleeing the scene. His body was found four hours later at Pontsticill Reservoir in the Brecon Beacons.
A family friend said: "It's the most dreadful scenario and everyone is thinking about the youngsters who lost their mam and dad in a moment of madness. They are part of a loving family who will do their best to bring them up but it's going to be hard for them at those ages."
Police investigation
South Wales Police are treating the case as a domestic-related homicide. A spokesperson said: "The investigation into the serious assault of a 35-year-old woman in Penydarren, Merthyr Tydfil continues and is now being treated as a homicide by South Wales Police." They confirmed that a 35-year-old woman was conveyed to hospital after an assault, and a 39-year-old man was found deceased at Pontsticill Reservoir. On June 22, it was confirmed that the woman had passed away. Next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers. Police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation.
Tributes and fundraiser
A GoFundMe page set up to support Zoe's family described her as a "beautiful, lovely" woman whose life was taken "at the hands of someone else." It said: "This awful and sudden turn of events has resulted in Zoe's two children, mother and brother losing a massive part of their close-knit family. Zoe was the most straight-talking, funniest, strongest woman but more than anything else was an amazing mother who did everything for her children."
Laurie Williams, who launched the fundraiser, said: "There was hope Zoe was getting a little bit stronger when she was in hospital but she died on Monday." The deaths have been reported to the Glamorgan Coroner, with inquests expected to be opened this week.
