Sofa-row widow says she's had death threats since 'relationship' with brother emerged

The woman whose husband died on the sofa after a row has revealed how she has had death threats since it was reported she was in a relationship with his brother.

Mum-of-three Ashley Murrell told MailOnline that complete strangers have also accused her of suffocating her husband Mikey while he slept on the sofa after they got into a heated argument.

And when details of her apparent relationship with brother-in-law Chris emerged, the abuse towards her got worse.

She said: “I’m just trying to provide a stable home for my kids and people are stronger when they are together. Nothing is stronger than a family unit.

“The fact that people are commenting such vile things is just disgusting. I’ve had death threats and people saying I suffocated Mikey. It’s horrendous.

“People have even said they’re coming for my kids and going to take out a contract to kill me and Chris. It is the last thing we need.

“It’s crazy how people can just take one thing they’ve read and start judging a situation they don’t understand at all.”

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Mrs Murrell, 33, was criticised by some when it emerged she had told her husband to sleep on the sofa after arguing about his work hours.

However, she later discovered that her husband had in fact been working longer to raise money for an anniversary present for his wife.

Since his death in May, Mrs Murrell has entered into a relationship with her husband’s brother – but she insists she is only pretending for the sake of her kids.

The beauty therapist, from Wellington, Somerset, added: “When Mikey died Chris was the first to come round and support me.

“I was in pieces and he was a massive comfort, not just to me, but the kids as well.

“We saw how well the children were reacting to having him around.

“They are used to having their dad around so it is nice and so important for them to have a male figure in their lives.

“And so we were pretending to be in a relationship for their sake.

“Chris is not a replacement for Mikey. He is their uncle and always will be.”

Defending their relationship, Chris added: “My mum finds a lot of comfort in seeing us support each other and I know Mikey would be happy to see I’m helping his wife and kids. I don’t know any brother who wouldn’t.

“I am here to support Ashley and be a father figure for the kids but they are very clear on the fact that I am their uncle.”

Chris’ estranged wife Terri Nelson lashed out on Facebook about the pair’s showmance, writing: “My ex is clearly so f***ing disgusted with the fact he is f***ing shacked up with his dead brother’s wife who passed not even two months ago that he has to make s*** up about me to make himself feel better.”

Mrs Murrell is defiant to maintain the ruse for the sake of her three children.

She said: “It might be hurtful to us but the most important thing is protecting the kids and we believe this is the best way.”

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