Shane Simmonds has admitted to the murder of his 32-year-old wife, Tia Simmonds, whose body was discovered in the attic of their home in Forest Hill, South-East London, in January this year. On the first day of his trial at the Old Bailey, Simmonds, 39, pleaded guilty to the charge of murder, after initially claiming diminished responsibility—a plea rejected by prosecutors.
Tia’s body was found on January 3, 2024, hidden under clothing in the attic of the couple’s home. Shane Simmonds turned himself into police on the same day and was promptly arrested. His trial was set to begin, but just before proceedings commenced, Judge Philip Katz KC informed the jury that Simmonds had “changed his mind” and entered a guilty plea, cancelling the need for a trial. Simmonds will be sentenced on October 17, with a life term expected.
At an earlier hearing, Simmonds had pleaded guilty to two counts of rape in a separate case involving a different woman, whose identity is protected for legal reasons.
Simmonds’ defence counsel, Jonathan Higgs KC, acknowledged that the case remains disturbing and largely unexplained in terms of the defendant’s motivation for the murder. The brutal killing has left many unanswered questions, with Simmonds’ motives unclear.
Tia Simmonds’ murder has shocked the community, and her family continues to mourn the devastating loss. Simmonds now faces life imprisonment, with sentencing expected to bring some measure of justice for Tia and her loved ones.
