Domestic abuser killed ex-wife who was ‘starting to enjoy life again’ after marriage ended

A controlling domestic abuser has pleaded guilty to murdering his ex-wife who was 'starting to enjoy life again' after ended their relationship.

Pawel Chmielecki, was charged with the murder of 31-year-old Marta Chmielecka in October last year and has now pleaded guilty at Northampton Crown Court.

Chmielecki, 39, “could not accept” that his former wife was “starting to enjoy life again”, having ended their marriage after suffering domestic abuse.

Marta Chmielecka’s body was found at a house in Wood Street, Kettering, after a family member reported concerns for her safety to Northamptonshire Police.

The family member in question had not seen her since the Friday before and she had also received a text message from Marta Chmielecka’s phone in a way she would not usually write, suggesting someone else was using it.

Detectives discovered Marta Chmielecka’s body at the property and Pawel Chmielecki stabbed himself upon their arrival.

He was taken to hospital where he recovered from his injuries and was arrested and charged with his ex-wife’s murder.

Senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Pete Long, said: “Marta Chmielecka was a young, vibrant and much-loved woman who was killed at the hands of a jealous, controlling ex-husband.

“She had broken away from a relationship of domestic abuse and was starting to enjoy life again, meeting new people and coming out of her shell once more.

“Pawel Chmielecki could not accept this and at his hands, Marta’s promising future was extinguished.”

Long said that Pawel Chmielecki, previously of Kettering, Northamptonshire, is “looking at a long stretch in prison staring at the four walls of a cell” when he is sentenced.

He added: “Violence against women, especially at the hands of a current or former partner, is a very real issue. Indeed, two women a week are killed by a current or former partner in England and Wales alone.”

At the conclusion of the court hearing, Marta’s family, said: “Marta was always smiling. She was a very kind and caring person and life will never be the same without her. We miss her every day.”

Figures highlighted by women’s support group End Violence Against Women show that there were to 845,734.8 police recorded domestic abuse-related crimes in England and Wales in the year ending March 2021 – an increase of 6%.

The figures also showed the Crown Prosecution Service charging rate for domestic abuse-related crimes in England and Wales decreased to 70% in the year ending March 2021, down from 76% in the year ending March 2018.

The volume of prosecutions has also decreased for the fifth time in a row, to 54,515.11

Pawel Chmielecki will be sentenced at Northampton Crown Court on 28 March.