A woman who was murdered by her boyfriend was a 'beautiful' mother 'fiercely devoted' to her three children, her family has said in tribute.
Samantha Murphy, 32, was found dead by her children at her home in Wadham Road, Portsmouth, on June 5 last year.
Charlie James Jeans, 31, of Margate Road, Southsea, was jailed for life at Portsmouth Crown Court on Wednesday (June 17), after changing his plea to guilty five days into his trial at the same court.
Judge Adam Feest KC said James's violence was 'entirely unprovoked and unjustified'.
Family and friends of Samantha, who was also known as Sammie-Jo and Sammie, said outside court: 'Today, we have secured justice for our beautiful Sammie-Jo.'
They described her as a kind and loving daughter, sister and mother whose contagious laugh lit up every room.
In a statement delivered outside court by her mum, Denise Calver added: 'Above all, Sam was a fiercely devoted mother to her three young children. They were her world.'
'We are united in our promise to give them the love, care and support they need to thrive. We will ensure they grow up knowing exactly how much their mother adored them.'
The family thanked Hampshire Police and said the sentencing 'milestone' would allow them to focus on celebrating Samantha's life, adding: 'We will never allow the light she brought to us all to be forgotten... Shine bright Sammie.'
The court heard Jeans displayed jealous behaviour and bouts of anger during his year-long relationship with Samantha.
Jo Martin KC said Samantha was concerned for her safety to the point where she invoked Clare's Law. This enables people to enquire about a partner's history of violence and abuse with the police.
Jeans and Samantha had been at a pub until about 11.30pm on June 4, 2025. A neighbour in Wadham Road later that night reported hearing someone shouting, 'I'm going to kill you', and a woman screaming.
Jeans sent his mum a text message at about 12.20am on June 5 which read: 'I'm going to prison for a very long time I love you'.
Doorbell camera footage showed him leaving Samantha's home at 1.40am. He then went into hiding for four days until police caught up with him and arrested him.
The killer has diagnoses for autism and emotional unstable personality disorder, according to the BBC.
Before his trial, Jeans said he suddenly realised he was strangling Samantha when they fell onto a sofa. He claimed not to remember what led to his attack.
Det Ch Insp Jody Beresford from Hampshire Police said: 'Samantha's life was cut cruelly short by a man who she should have been able to trust and rely on.'
'Jeans betrayed her in a way that most people cannot even imagine. In one selfish, violent act, he has robbed Samantha of her future and her family and friends of their loved one.'
The officer said while she was glad to see Jeans behind bars, her thoughts remained with those who knew and loved Samantha.
DCI Beresford praised Samantha's family and her team, adding: 'Murder is a crime that no sentence will ever truly bring justice for.'
Jeans was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 17 years. He had pleaded guilty to manslaughter before the trial, then admitted murder.
