The quiet town of Aberdeen in New South Wales was forever scarred by one of the most brutal and shocking murders in Australian history. Katherine Knight, a former abattoir worker, committed an act of extreme violence against her partner, John Price, in March 2000, leaving a legacy of horror that continues to resonate decades later.
The Horrific Crime Scene
On the morning of March 1, 2000, police forced entry into a modest family home after neighbors reported blood stains on the front door. Inside, they discovered a scene of unparalleled brutality. John Price had been murdered as he slept, stabbed more than 37 times. Evidence indicated he woke during the assault and tried to escape, with trails of blood leading through the house toward the front door.
Knight, drawing on her abattoir experience, had then skinned Price's body, hanging large sections of skin around the home. She decapitated him, placing his head in a pot of boiling water, while other body parts were roasted in the oven with vegetables. The dining table was set for two, with places marked for Price's children, suggesting Knight had prepared meals before police arrived.
A Chilling Note and Baseless Accusations
Investigators found a note written in blood on a photograph of Price, accusing him of raping her daughter and referencing his children. These accusations were later proven entirely baseless. Knight was discovered unconscious nearby after taking pills, though not enough to be fatal. A former officer noted that Price's head was still warm when found, indicating the cooking had occurred just hours earlier.
Knight's Violent History
Katherine Knight had a long history of violence predating this murder. She claimed to have been sexually abused as a child, which she said contributed to difficult relationships with men. According to the book Blood Stains by Peter Lalor, Knight was a bully in school and attempted to strangle her first husband, David Kellett, on their wedding night, later fracturing his skull with a frying pan.
She also killed another partner's dog and assaulted him with scissors. Neighbor Rick Banyard described her as "a very proficient meatworker," a chilling observation given the nature of the crime. Price had even taken out a restraining order against Knight, but the couple had reconciled before the murder.
The Final Warning
Before his death, Price had an especially heated argument with Knight. He allegedly told colleagues that if he didn't show up for work the next day, they should alert police and come looking for him. Tragically, this warning proved prophetic when neighbors spotted blood on the front door and called authorities.
Legal Consequences and Sentencing
Knight was arrested at the scene and later pleaded guilty to murder. During sentencing, the judge described Price's final moments as "filled with terror" and labeled the killing an act of "extreme brutality." In 2001, Katherine Knight was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, becoming the first woman in Australia to receive that punishment.
This case remains a stark reminder of domestic violence extremes and continues to be studied for its psychological and criminal implications. The quiet town of Aberdeen, once known for its serenity, is now forever linked to one of Australia's most infamous crimes.
