A man who killed his wife within hours of their wedding and hid her body in a suitcase has been convicted of murder. Thomas Nutt, 45, was found guilty at Bradford Crown Court of murdering Dawn Walker, 52, shortly after their marriage on 27 October last year.
The court heard that Nutt strangled Walker and concealed her body in a cupboard at their home in Lightcliffe, West Yorkshire. He later moved the body to a suitcase and dumped it in bushes behind the property. Nutt reported his wife missing on 31 October, claiming they had been on a caravan honeymoon in Skegness.
Prosecutor Alistair MacDonald QC stated that Nutt “knew perfectly well that her body was lying dead in a cupboard at the marital home.” CCTV footage showed Nutt wheeling a large suitcase out of the back of the house minutes before a police officer arrived to follow up on the missing person report. Neighbours later found the suitcase and alerted authorities.
The prosecution highlighted the couple’s troubled relationship, with a neighbour reporting seeing Walker with a black eye in 2020. Nutt initially pleaded guilty to manslaughter but denied murder, claiming he acted after Walker said she wanted a divorce. However, an examination revealed severe neck injuries consistent with forceful pressure.
Senior Crown Prosecutor Emma Covington said: “What should have been the happiest time of Dawn’s life was instead marked by absolute tragedy.” Nutt is due to be sentenced on 19 August, with Judge Jonathan Rose confirming he will face a life sentence.
