Man who murdered his partner dies in prison

Patryk Skupinski was told he would serve at least 21 years in prison when he was sentenced in 2021 for murdering his partner Marlene Doyle

A man who murdered his partner in a brutal attack has died in prison.

Patryk Skupinksi was serving a life sentence for killing 32-year-old Marlene Doyle at their flat in Coventry in January 2022.

On Friday, independent body the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) confirmed Skupinski died at HMP Gartree, near Market Harborough in Leicestershire, on 29 January.

Leicestershire Police said the 38-year-old's death was "being treated as unexplained at this time".

Coventry Crown Court heard during a trial Ms Doyle's body lay undiscovered for up to five days before she was found on 20 January 2022.

West Midlands Police said she had suffered domestic abuse before her death.

Skupinski's mother and two other people were also jailed for hiding him after he killed Ms Doyle.

Ms Doyle was found with significant head injuries at a flat on Shakespeare Street in Coventry on 20 January 2022 and post-mortem tests established she had most likely died up to five days earlier

A spokesperson for the Leicestershire force said: "On Wednesday 29 January, police were notified of the death of an inmate at HMP Gartree.

"The man's death is being treated as unexplained, and an investigation is being undertaken by officers on behalf of HM Coroner.

"No arrests have been made."

Ombudsman Adrian Usher said: "My office carries out independent investigations into deaths in custody and we are investigating the death of Mr Patryk Skupinski at HMP Gartree on 29 January 2025.

"The investigation is under way and we will publish our final report on his death after the inquest has concluded."

The PPO launches an investigation whenever anyone dies in custody in England and Wales, a spokesperson added.