A 13-year-old girl has been charged with the murder of a woman following a devastating house fire in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire — a case that has sent shockwaves through the local community.
The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons due to her age, was formally charged on Tuesday evening (11 March) with murder and arson with intent to endanger life. She is due to appear before Northampton Magistrates’ Court this morning.
The charges come after a tragic sequence of events in the early hours of Monday, 10 March, when emergency services were called to a blaze at a residential property on Newcomen Road just after 3:00am.
Police officers and firefighters arrived to find the home engulfed in flames. Inside the property, emergency teams discovered the body of a woman who was sadly pronounced dead at 3:29am. Though formal identification is pending, the victim is believed to be 43-year-old Marta Bednarczyk, a mother-of-three.
A post-mortem examination carried out at Leicester Royal Infirmary has concluded that the preliminary cause of death was sharp force injury, indicating the woman had sustained fatal stab wounds prior to or during the incident.
Forensic Investigation and Crime Scene
The investigation, led by the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, continues at pace. Newcomen Road remains cordoned off, with police maintaining a scene guard as forensic teams comb the property and surrounding area for evidence.
Authorities have also worked alongside the Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, who responded swiftly to contain and extinguish the fire.
“A Devastating Case for the Community”
Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell, who is leading the investigation, said:
“This evening we have formally charged a 13-year-old girl from Wellingborough with murder and arson with intent to endanger life. She is due to appear in court at 10am on Wednesday.
“Our thoughts remain with Marta’s family, who have shown immense strength and cooperation in the face of this tragic loss.”
He added: “This is a deeply troubling case that has affected not just the family, but the wider community. We are continuing to provide support to those involved and ask for privacy to be respected during this difficult time.”
Tributes and Community Reaction
Tributes have been pouring in online for Marta Bednarczyk, who was described by neighbours as a “kind and caring woman” and a “devoted mother.”
One neighbour said: “She was always smiling, always friendly. The thought of her life being taken like this — and by someone so young — is absolutely heartbreaking.”
The involvement of such a young suspect has also sparked concern over youth crime and safeguarding issues, with some calling for a renewed focus on early intervention services in Northamptonshire.
What Happens Next?
Today’s court hearing is expected to be brief and procedural, with the Crown Prosecution Service likely to seek a transfer of the case to a higher court due to the severity of the charges.
The accused remains in police custody. Further legal proceedings, including potential pre-trial hearings, are expected to follow in the coming weeks.
Appeal for Information
Police are continuing to appeal for anyone who may have witnessed activity in the area around Newcomen Road between Sunday night and early Monday morning to come forward.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101, quoting incident reference number 24000141431. Alternatively, information can be submitted anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
