Murder accused wrote on Facebook about heartbreak

Samantha Mickleburgh was found dead at a hotel in Bagshot, Surrey, on 14 April 2024

A man who allegedly murdered his ex-fiancee at a luxury hotel posted on Facebook about his heartbreak after her death, a court has heard.

Samantha Mickleburgh, from Axminster in Devon, was found dead on 14 April 2024 after spending the night with James Cartwright, the jury was told.

The 61-year-old's post the following day said: "I am so heartbroken and devastated at the very sudden and unexpected loss of my gorgeous, kind, caring, and loving partner Samantha during the night of my birthday at Pennyhill Park Hotel in Bagshot, Surrey, after such a wonderful and happy evening."

Mr Cartwright, of no fixed address, denies charges of rape, murder and controlling and coercive behaviour.

The post was read out at Guildford Crown Court on Friday by prosecutor Louise Oakley.

Mr Cartwright wrote "I simply do not have the words" and referred to how his "extreme grief" was shared by Ms Mickleburgh's close family.

He also wrote about how family, friends and colleagues, past and present, would all be "as shocked and sad as I am at her sudden passing".

The post said: "I miss you so much sweetheart and have no idea how I'm going to live without you. You have left such an enormous hole in all our lives.

"Rest in peace my darling. I love you so very much and always will."

The pair had been celebrating Mr Cartwright's birthday at Pennyhill Park Hotel in Bagshot

Jurors were previously told that Mr Cartwright called 999 at about 08:30 BST saying he had discovered the lifeless body of Ms Mickleburgh lying next to him in bed.

Ms Oakley said Mr Cartwright had most likely killed Ms Mickleburgh "with his own bare hands applying manual pressure around her neck, extinguishing her life".

The court heard Ms Mickleburgh had ended her relationship with Mr Cartwright in February 2024.

Despite this, the 54-year-old mother-of-two had arranged to stay in a twin room with Mr Cartwright because she "didn't want him to feel lonely" on his 60th birthday, the jury was told.

Following their break-up, Mr Cartwright had continued to pursue Ms Mickleburgh, attending her address unexpectedly and uninvited, and "bombarding her" with messages and calls, Ms Oakley said.

"He had started to lose control of his relationship with Samantha because of his own controlling and coercive ways," she added.

The court previously heard that a friend and colleague of Ms Mickleburgh had also become concerned about Mr Cartwright's behaviour.

The trial continues.

Additional reporting from PA.

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