The husband of a teacher who was strangled to death barely six months after giving birth through in vitro fertilisation (IVF) faces life in prison after confessing to her murder.
Matthew Fisher, 29 years old, pled guilty to the murder of Abi Fisher, also 29 years old, whose corpse was discovered in dense vegetation 12 miles from her house after a massive police search.
Abi had just given birth to her daughter six months prior to her death after undergoing fertility treatment.
The elementary school teacher passed away due to strangling by her spouse.
In January of this year, the couple welcomed their IVF-conceived daughter Sydney.
On July 9, it was reported that Abi, a primary school teacher, was missing from her home in Castleford, West Yorkshire.
Her relatives described her absence as “completely out of character,” and a massive police search was initiated.
During the hunt for Abi, her husband wrote on Facebook: ‘Has anyone seen Abi if you have can you please let me know or get her to give me a ring.’
The following day, police officers discovered her dead in South Yorkshire along a rural road, more than 12 miles from her house.
A few days later, Fisher was caught and charged with her murder.
He will be sentenced on November 10, pending receipt of all medical findings.
The judge, Tom Bayliss KC, cautioned him that murder carries a life sentence, but that the minimum period must be determined.
He said: ‘The sentence will be life imprisonment, come what may.
‘It’s necessary for the judge to set a minimum term.
‘There are certain matters that need to be considered before then.’
Wearing a grey T-shirt, Fisher confirmed his name, date of birth and plea during a brief appearance before Leeds Crown Court via video link this morning.
An inquest opening into her death heard the provisional cause of death was strangulation, though further investigations were underway.
At the time of her death, her family paid tribute to her, describing her as a ‘beautiful angel’ and said they were ‘utterly devastated’ about their loss.
A statement released after her death read: ‘Our beautiful Abi. Words cannot describe how utterly devastated we are at the loss of you.
‘We miss you dearly. We promise to make you proud every single day, and will continue to bring up your amazing little baby girl the way you would.
‘Heaven may have gained an angel but we have lost you and that for us seems like the most unjust act to happen.
‘We as a family would like to thank every single person who showed enough heart and love to look for our precious angel.
‘Words will never describe how much this means. For now our beautiful angel.. We love you so much.’
Matthew Jones, head teacher at Featherstone All Saints CofE Academy, where Abi taught year three children, also paid tribute, saying: ‘She will be remembered as an enthusiastic, kind and caring teacher and colleague, who gave her all each day.
‘In particular, her passion for science inspired countless children over the years – she made a real difference to so many lives.
‘We are all devastated by Abi’s tragic death, and will continue to pray for her and her family.
‘As a school we are supporting each other through this very difficult time.’
Abi was last seen leaving her house on Walton Park Street in Castleford about midnight on July 8, her family informed police, but she did not tell anybody where she was heading.
West Yorkshire Police (WYP) began a missing person inquiry, and the Castleford community made efforts to locate the mother of one.
The police stated on July 11 that they had discovered Abi’s corpse in bushes off Southmoor Road in Brierley, South Yorkshire the previous day. Fisher was accused and arrested.
In an emotional tribute posted following her death, Abi’s relatives praised her as a ‘beautiful angel’ and vowed to raise her daughter ‘the way she would.’ In a statement, they wrote, ‘Words cannot describe how utterly devastated we are at the loss of you.
‘We miss you dearly. We promise to make you proud every single day, and will continue to bring up your amazing little baby girl the way you would.
‘Heaven may have gained an angel but we have lost you and that for us seems like the most unjust act to happen. We as a family would like to thank every single person who showed enough heart and love to look for our precious angel. Words will never describe how much this means.
‘For now our beautiful angel. We love you so much.’
His honour Judge Tom Bayliss QC told Fisher he would be given a life sentence, but the case would need to be adjourned until November 10.
He said: ‘You have pleaded guilty to the murder of Abi Fisher. The sentence for murder is fixed by law to be imprisonment for life and in due course I will pass a sentence of life imprisonment upon you.
‘It is necessary for a judge sentencing to seta minimum term which cannot be reduced and the minimum period before which the Parole Board will be able to decide when you are fit to be released.
‘Whenever that is, and it is to that end that I am adjourning. The sentence will be life imprisonment, come what may.
‘You will be sentenced on the 10th November. There are certain matters that need to be considered before then but by then I will be in a position I hope to sentence you.’