In a heart-wrenching case that underscores the tragic consequences of domestic violence, 35-year-old Matthew Waddell has been found guilty of the murder of his partner, 38-year-old Sarah Albone. The conviction follows a harrowing sequence of events that culminated in Sarah’s untimely death at her residence in Biggleswade back in February.
The case came to light when friends and family of Sarah Albone began to express growing concern for her well-being in November 2022. Worries over her relationship with Matthew Waddell and her lack of communication with loved ones raised red flags. Prior to this, there had been ongoing concerns regarding the toxic nature of their relationship and Waddell’s controlling behavior towards Sarah.
As weeks passed without any contact from Sarah, her family’s concerns deepened. On 21 February, they took the decisive step of reporting her as a missing person to Bedfordshire Police. Waddell’s response to concerned inquiries about Sarah’s whereabouts was that she was receiving mental health treatment at a hospital and her phone was supposedly broken, rendering her unable to answer calls.
However, suspicion grew when a friend received messages from an individual claiming to be Sarah, requesting cash while purporting to be in the hospital. The language and grammar in these messages raised doubts about their authenticity.
The missing person investigation took a grim turn when officers discovered that Waddell’s account of Sarah’s whereabouts did not align with the available records. Following further investigation, officers received a text message purportedly from Sarah, asserting that she was safe and well. Mobile phone data, however, revealed that the message originated from the vicinity of Sarah’s home.
Subsequently, the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit initiated a murder investigation, leading to Waddell’s arrest on suspicion of murder on 25 February. During a search of the property, officers uncovered a substantial amount of blood throughout the house. Waddell had attempted to conceal his actions by removing sections of carpet.
Cadaver dogs, assisting in the search, located a blood-stained duvet hidden inside a suitcase. Despite Waddell’s efforts to cover up the crime, Sarah’s lifeless body was discovered in the residence shortly thereafter.
A post-mortem examination determined that Sarah Albone’s cause of death was airway obstruction resulting from catastrophic head injuries, and it was believed that she had died in November 2022. She also had several other injuries.
Today, Matthew Waddell, residing on Winston Crescent, Biggleswade, was convicted of the murder of Sarah Albone at Luton Crown Court. His sentencing is scheduled for Thursday, 14th September, at the same court.
Detective Chief Inspector Iain Moor, who led the investigation for the Bedfordshire, Cambridge, and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, described the crime as “horrifically violent and despicable.” He emphasised Sarah’s vulnerability and her attempts to leave the toxic relationship before the fatal attack.
Detective Chief Superintendent Zara Brown, the force’s new Male Violence Against Women and Girls lead, highlighted the importance of recognising and addressing controlling and violent behavior. She reiterated the force’s commitment to advocating for the safety of women and girls, providing a safe space for reporting and accessing support for those facing abusive situations.
