Woman jailed for life for murdering husband

A woman who fatally stabbed her husband in the neck has been jailed for life for murder.

Christine Kekkonen, 37, knifed Henri Kekkonen, 41, at their home in Baltonsborough, Somerset in May last year.

Bristol Crown Court heard the defendant texted her mother immediately after the incident, pleading with her to send police as she had “done something awful”.

She claimed she did not mean to kill Mr Kekkonen but she was found guilty by a jury last year.

The court heard the defendant sent a text message to her mum saying: “Mum, please get the police here now. Please. I’ve done something awful.”

Her father then called for an ambulance, and police were informed.

Within 15 minutes, emergency services were at their home, but despite their efforts, Finland-born Mr Kekkonen died at the scene.

Heavy blood staining was found on the couple’s bed at their bungalow, and police subsequently recovered a knife from the floor on the left-hand side of the bed.

Nicholas Corsellis KC, prosecuting, said Mr Kekkonen had suffered a single stab wound to the left side of his neck.

“The pathologist found no evidence of any other significant injury, no signs of blood force, assault or defence injuries,” he said.

“The Crown’s case was at trial and is that the defendant stabbed her husband whilst he was in bed.

“The precise motive for her attack was and is unknown.

“Whilst the defendant has had a history of mental illness and had been under the care of various mental health services, this was not the case where the homicide may have been explained by the defendant’s medical conditions in so far as providing a defence.”

The couple had married in 2011 and had lived together for 15 years.

The prosecutor said the defendant had a history of mental health issues and her husband was her primary carer.

Mr Kekkonen’s father said in a victim impact statement that his “whole life has been totally messed up” by his son’s death.

“For some reason, I was up all night that night and I couldn’t sleep, and then in the morning at 9am there was a knock at the door, and it was the police telling me that Henri had died,” he said.

“My whole world collapsed when they told me that.

“I am not feeling vengeful feelings towards Christine, because these feelings are stupid and not worth it.

“But I do not understand how Christine is now saying that she is innocent. Henri has never been violent.”

Louise Sweet KC, defending, said the defendant had been in a poor mental state at the time of the murder and had been contemplating suicide.

“Mrs Kekkonen wishes me to express her deep remorse,” she said.

“This is a serious but isolated offence, born out of a very unusual set of circumstances.”

Judge Julian Lambert jailed Kekkonen for life with a minimum term of 15 years’ imprisonment.

“Evidence from friends, neighbours and healthcare professionals demonstrated that Henri was kind and caring throughout and did all he could for you,” he said.

“In your deluded mind, you felt he was coercive and controlling and should have done more for you. This was simply not correct.

“Henri promoted your welfare above his own ambitions, and you always came first.

“You have suffered greatly with mental health difficulties for many years.

“There is a formal diagnosis of emotionally stable, unstable personality disorder of long standing against that background you have had to contend with episodes of mental illness.

“There was a good deal of evidence of anxiety and depression in your life. There was evidence of episodes of self-harm and auditory hallucinations.

“None of this provides a satisfactory answer as to why you did what you did. It may well be you do not know yourself.”

Speaking afterwards, Detective Superintendent Lorett Spierenburg, who led the investigation, said: “Henri’s life was callously cut short that day through the actions of someone he deeply trusted and cared for.

“Christine Kekkonen’s denial of his murder forced his family to have to relive the awful events of May 2024 and showed them complete disregard.

“Henri’s family have been able to see justice delivered through the courts, however, nothing can bring him back to them, and that is a tragedy.”

Published: 23/05/2025 by Radio NewsHub