Michael Thompson, 56, was found guilty on Wednesday of raping and murdering his estranged wife Kimberley Thompson, 43, at their Northampton home. Prosecutors said he used the death of his former partner Rhonda Anderson, who was electrocuted when a radio fell into her bath in 2000, to threaten and control Kimberley.
Coercive control and threats
The court heard that Thompson kept Ms Anderson's death 'in his arsenal' to intimidate his wife. The couple were separated but living in the same property in different bedrooms while divorce proceedings were ongoing. Prosecutor Miranda Moore KC said Thompson exploited the 'unusual circumstances' of Ms Anderson's death to threaten Kimberley.
One witness said Kimberley told a friend that Thompson 'would kill her and get away with it'. Another witness stated that when Kimberley tried to leave, Thompson said, 'You know what happened to the last person that tried to do this to me.'
Financial dispute
Just before her death, Kimberley had decided to reject Thompson's offer of £40,000 and instead seek £65,000 in the divorce. A consent order for £65,000 was emailed to family solicitors on August 1, a week before she was killed. Ms Moore said this 'puts these threats into the correct context' and that Thompson was 'not at all happy' about the money demand.
Staged suicide scene
Thompson murdered Kimberley in the early hours of August 9 and staged the scene to appear as a suicide. He placed photographs, tablets and alcohol bottles beside her bed before calling for help. Detective Chief Inspector Torie Harrison said: 'Not only did Thompson brutally rape and murder Kim, he took the time to stage her death in order to make people believe she had committed suicide.'
Investigation into Rhonda Anderson's death
Police launched a fresh murder investigation into Ms Anderson's death after concerns were raised in light of Kimberley's murder. Michael Thompson was arrested on suspicion of murder, but the investigation concluded with insufficient evidence. DCI Harrison said: 'It has been determined there is insufficient evidence to take the investigation further, with no further action being taken against Michael Thompson.'
Thompson will be sentenced next week. DCI Harrison added: 'It became clear throughout our investigation that Kim had been subjected to domestic abuse for much of her relationship with Thompson, with manipulation, coercive control, and physical violence the norm.'
