The husband of a canine breeder from Staffordshire got here dwelling to search out she had been brutally killed in a horrific knife assault on their driveway, her inquest has heard.
Valerie Freer’s palms have been sure with cable ties and he or she had been stabbed by means of her neck when husband of 46 years Derek returned dwelling from strolling their canines.
He had solely been gone from their dwelling in Lichfield Street, Whittington round 40 minutes when he discovered Mrs Freer in a pool of blood. A autopsy discovered Mrs Freer suffered 16 stab wounds and 10 puncture wounds, in addition to scratches across the neck space.
Mrs Freer had issues with one in all her legs and initially her husband thought she had fallen and banged her head on February 24. Her inquest, held yesterday, heard he discovered her ‘unresponsive’ and ‘panic ensured’ as he raised the alarm with emergency providers.
Valerie Freer’s palms have been sure with cable ties and he or she had been stabbed by means of her neck when husband of 46 years Derek returned dwelling from strolling their canines in Whittington, Staffordshire
He had solely been gone from their dwelling in Lichfield Street, Whittington round 40 minutes when he discovered Mrs Freer in a pool of blood. A autopsy discovered Mrs Freer suffered 16 stab wounds and 10 puncture wounds, in addition to scratches across the neck space
On the time, Mr Freer had no thought how she had been injured. Her suspected killer was not named within the inquest, however has beforehand been recognized as Argentinian nationwide Alex Verdu Munoz, who died whereas being held at Strangeways jail, Manchester, on Could 15.
Yesterday’s inquest, held by South Staffordshire Coroner’s Courtroom, heard how the Freers had lived within the bungalow since 1985 and had 4 canines in the home. Mrs Freer was president of the British Samoyed Membership for lovers of the breed, which has similarities to a husky.
She had a large circle of buddies and was distinguished within the dog-showing neighborhood nationally and internationally. The couple met after they have been youngsters and he or she requested him out for a drink.
Mr Freer stated ‘there was no means I used to be going to go that chance’, the listening to was informed, they usually married in 1975.
DI Ian Fitzgerald, of Staffordshire Police, the senior investigator on the case, informed the coroner the ambulance arrived to Mrs Freer inside minutes, however she had already died from her accidents. The scene was rapidly sealed off and a full forensic investigation was performed.
Though there was no CCTV round the home, so precisely what occurred couldn’t be established, there was proof of a disturbance on the entrance door and within the hallway, with blood present in the home.
Nonetheless, the listening to was informed the blood may have been moved with the canines or by means of opening doorways. It was discovered Mrs Freer had been killed on her driveway.
There had been earlier incidents together with aggravated housebreaking round Whittington within the days previous to her demise and a suspicious Peugeot had been recognized. Utilizing CCTV, ANPR and dashcam footage, it was established the automobile was within the space of her dwelling across the time of her demise.
Her suspected killer, Argentinian nationwide Alex Verdu Munoz, died whereas being held at Strangeways jail , Manchester, on Could 15
It was a rent automobile from Heathrow Airport and had been employed by Munoz. It was traced to Slough the identical day and boxed in by Thames Valley Police.
Munoz intentionally crashed the automobile and ended up in hospital. Officers discovered a knife in a suitcase within the automobile, which he had introduced over from Argentina. It had Mrs Freer’s blood on it and his DNA on the deal with.
There was additionally black tape beneath the motive force’s seat, in addition to cable ties and blood on the door deal with and sleeve of a jacket. It was discovered Munoz had rented an Air BnB in Whittington and had been staying there since February 10.
Inside, police discovered handcuffs, cable ties and gadgets used for choosing locks. He was subsequently arrested and charged with Mrs Freer’s homicide.
Earlier than she died, Mrs Freer was a ‘match and wholesome’ girl, along with her solely drawback being the damage to her leg. South Staffordshire coroner Andrew Barkley dominated Mrs Freer died from stab wounds to her neck and recorded a verdict that she was unlawfully killed.
He handed on his condolences to the household, describing what occurred as ‘horrific and life-changing’ for all those that knew Mrs Freer.
On the time of her demise, Mrs Freer’s household launched an announcement saying: ‘Phrases can not even start to explain how actually devastated we’re to have misplaced our great Val. Her illuminating smile and infectious laughter would gentle up any room.
‘An extremely stunning girl each in and out, she was all the time so loving and caring to all these round her. Val is beloved infinitely by household and buddies all over the world. She will probably be massively missed, remaining ceaselessly in our hearts.’
