Man Jailed for 12 Years After Living with Dead Woman’s Body in Her Flat
A 42-year-old man has been sentenced to 12 and a half years for manslaughter after killing a woman and hiding her body in her flat for several weeks. Kristian Smith, of no fixed address, was convicted of killing 52-year-old Antoinette Donegan following a trial at the Old Bailey.
Chilling Discovery in Battersea Flat
Police were called to Antoinette’s home on Este Road, SW11, on 7 March 2019 after concerns grew over her safety. Officers broke in through a bedroom window after no one answered the door and discovered her decomposing body.
The grim scene revealed blood smeared near her head and furniture. Smith had blocked the bedroom door with clothes to mask the smell of decomposition.
Evidence Unravels Smith’s Dark Deception
- Smith had been living in the flat since November 2018.
- CCTV and phone records showed Antoinette last seen alive on 1 February 2019.
- Smith used her bank card multiple times throughout February to withdraw cash.
- He moved her SIM card into his phone and was caught with her jewellery and card upon arrest.
- Blood on Smith’s trainers matched Antoinette’s DNA.
Brutal Assault Revealed
A post-mortem found Antoinette suffered multiple head injuries from a broken mug and seven fractured ribs – signs of a savage attack. Detectives ruled out self-defence.
“This is a tragic case where Antoinette’s generosity was abused in the worst way,” said Detective Chief Inspector John Massey. “Smith carried on using her bank card and hid the truth, blocking up the door to hide the smell. He betrayed her trust and now faces a long jail term.”
Smith was also sentenced for fraud and preventing a lawful burial, charges he had pleaded guilty to earlier.
