Coventry man jailed for partner Marlene Doyle's murder

Patryk Skupinski hid with friends and his mother after killing his partner

A man has been jailed for life for murdering his partner in a "vicious and savage attack" at their home.

Marlene Doyle's body lay undiscovered for up to five days in the flat in Coventry and police said she had significant head injuries.

She suffered domestic abuse before her death, the West Midlands force said.

Patryk Skupinski, 37, was found guilty of her murder and at Coventry Crown Court was told he would serve at least 21 years in prison.

Three other people, who included Skupinski's mother, were also jailed for hiding him after Ms Doyle's death.

The 32-year-old's body was found on 20 January 2022 after she was not seen for several days and a relative became concerned.

A post-mortem examination concluded she had most likely died up to five days earlier.

Marlene Doyle was murdered by a man "she loved and trusted", according to her mother

After the murder, Skupinski contacted two friends, Michal Lada, 41, of Rogers Road and Kinga Rybacka, 27, of Blythe Road, Coventry, police said.

The pair went to the flat on 16 January before they allowed the killer to hide with them for three days.

Skupinski's mother, who made inquiries about helping her son leave the country, then kept him hidden for two days at her home, where he was arrested, the force said.

Hanna Skupinski, 59, of Winterton Road, Birmingham, and Skupinksi's two friends were all found guilty of assisting an offender.

She and Rybacka were also jailed on Friday for 15 months while Lada was given a 42-month prison term.

Hanna Skupinski, Michal Lada and Kinga Rybacka all helped the killer

During the investigation, officers found Ms Doyle had suffered domestic violence over a period of time before her death.

Her mother Gloria said: "Marlene's story should act as a warning to all women and men who find themselves within such relationships, and who choose to remain and keep quiet in the hope that the situation will improve."

She said her daughter was "killed at the hands of a wicked man whom she loved and trusted".

Ms Doyle and Skupinski's relationship was described as "volatile" by Det Sgt Andy Wareham.

"This was a vicious and savage attack in a place, and with someone, Ms Doyle should have felt the safest," he said.