Wife-killer who hid body in septic tank dies in jail

David Venables was jailed for the murder of his wife in 2022 when he was 89

A retired farmer who murdered his wife before concealing her remains in a septic tank has died in prison at the age of 92.

David Venables was found guilty of the killing in July 2022 after Brenda Venables' remains were found inside the tank in the grounds of their former home in Worcestershire.

It had brought to an end a 40-year mystery over her disappearance.

The Prison Service confirmed Venables died at HMP Stoke Heath on 16 December and that an investigation would be carried out.

Venables, of Elgar Drive, Kempsey, had been 89 when he was jailed.

A jury at Worcester Crown Court heard he had murdered his wife after restarting an affair with another woman.

He had denied killing his wife between 2 and 5 May 1982 and had claimed serial killer Fred West may have been responsible, after reporting her disappearance to police, saying he was unable to find her.