Former hockey star guilty of murdering wife
During his arrest at the family home, Samak repeatedly denied he had killed wife Joanne
- Published
An ex-international hockey player who stabbed his wife to death and then tried to argue she had taken her own life, has been found guilty of murder.
Egyptian national Mohamed Samak, 42, killed Joanne Samak at their home in Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire, on 1 July 2024.
A retrial, at Worcester Crown Court, heard Mrs Samak, 49, died from multiple stab wounds, with her blood later discovered on her husband's clothes.
As part of his defence, Samak previously said he saw his wife stab herself with a knife and "breathe her final two breaths". He is due to be sentenced at the same court on Friday.
During police interviews, he maintained that he was not responsible for her death.
However, it emerged during the trial that he was left "panicking" about not being believed, after he moved her body and realised he then had her blood on his clothes.
Mrs Samak's brother described her as "loyal, kind and caring"
Following the verdict, Judge James Burbidge KC told Samak: "It is beyond comprehension why you would take the life of your wife."
'Amazing mum'
Paying tribute to his sister, Mark Vale said she "was loyal, kind and caring".
"She was deeply loved by us, her family and her many, many friends," he said, after the verdict had been handed down.
"Most importantly, she was an amazing mum. Her loss has had a devastating impact on everyone who knew and loved her.
"We will never come to terms with losing her in such a cruel and senseless way."
He added: "Jo had so much more life to live and we will miss her and love her forever."
Mohamed Samak has been found guilty of murdering his wife at their home in Droitwich Spa
Jonathan Roe, from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said Samak had "repeatedly lied to police" as he tried to avoid taking responsibility for what he had done.
"This callous attempt to present his crime as a suicide has caused further anguish to Jo's family," he said.
"Thankfully, the jury saw through his lies and convicted him for this heinous crime against a defenceless woman... [who] could never have imagined her own husband would cause her such serious harm.
"Jo's family have shown great dignity and strength through this difficult process, and our thoughts are with them."