Killer who stabbed husband then text her mum jailed

Christine Kekkonen was jailed for life

A woman who fatally stabbed her husband before texting her mum to say "I've done something awful" has been jailed for life.

Christine Kekkonen, 37, stabbed her husband Henri Kekkonen, 41, in the neck at their home in Baltonsborough, Somerset and hid the knife at the side of their bed.

She claimed she had not intended to hurt Henri but was convicted of his murder by a jury at Bristol Crown Court in November. She has now been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 15 years.

Olavi Kekkonen, Henri's father, said: "My whole life has been totally messed up, and it's not anything that you can expect to happen to you."

Kekkonen stabbed Henri at their home in Dunford Terrace sometime between 16:00 and 16:20 BST on 9 May 2024.

At 16:21, she sent a text message to her mum saying: "Mum, please get the police here now. Please. I've done something awful."

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

Emergency services arrived at their home within 15 minutes but, despite their efforts, Henri died at the scene.

Henri Kekkonen was described by his parents as a "kind, warm and special” son

In statements read out in court, Henri's father and half-sister, both from Finland, spoke of the impact his death has had on their family.

Olavi Kekkonen said: "The ninth of May was the day that Henri was killed, but I didn't know it yet. For some reason, I was up all night that night and I couldn't sleep, and then in the morning there was a knock at the door, and it was the police telling me that Henri had died.

"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."

'Deluded mind'

Sentencing Kekkonen, Judge Lambert described Henri as "kind and caring" and said her decision to hide the knife at the side of their bed "provides evidence of a degree of deliberation".

He said her mental health difficulties did not "provide a satisfactory answer as to why you did what you did".

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

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