Husband faces life in jail as he admits strangling his wife

Husband faces life in jail as he admits strangling his primary school teacher wife, 29, to death after claiming she had gone missing and appealing on Facebook for help to find her

•  Matthew Fisher, 29, pleaded guilty to murdering his wife Abi Fisher, also 29
•  He will be sentenced on November 10, providing full medical reports have been received.
• Abi had given birth to her daughter just six months before her death

The husband of a teacher who died after being strangled just six months after she gave birth via IVF faces life behind bars after admitting to her murder.

Matthew Fisher, 29, pleaded guilty to murdering Abi Fisher, also 29, whose body was found in undergrowth 12 miles from her home following a major police hunt.

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 (Tues).

He will be sentenced on November 10, providing full medical reports have been received.

Judge Tom Bayliss KC warned him that murder comes with a life sentence, but the minimum term will have to 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.’

Abi, a primary school teacher, was reported missing from her house in Castleford, West Yorkshire, on July 9.

Her family said her disappearance ‘completely out of character’ and a major police search was launched.

It is said Fisher murdered Abi between July 7 and July 10 this year, and she died as a result of strangulation.

Her body was found by police officers the next day in undergrowth next to a country lane in South Yorkshire – more than 12 miles from her home.

Fisher was arrested and charged with her murder just days later.

Abi had given birth to her daughter just six months before her death, after going through fertility treatment.

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.’

Matthew Fisher, 29, appeared via a video link from HMP Leeds for a hearing at Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday where he was arraigned and pleaded guilty to Abi’s murder. 

Fisher is said to have murdered his wife, and mother of his newly born daughter, between July 7 and July 10 this year. 

The primary school teacher died as a result of strangulation at the hands of her husband.

 In January this year, the couple welcomed their daughter Sydney who was conceived through IVF.

Abi was last seen leaving her home in Walton Park Street in Castleford on July 8 around midnight but did not tell anyone where she was going, her family told police.  

West Yorkshire Police (WYP) launched a missing person investigation, and the community in Castleford conducted searches to try and find the mum-of-one.

On July 11, the force confirmed they had found Abi’s body in undergrowth off Southmoor Road, near Brierley, South Yorkshire the day before. Fisher was arrested and charged. During the search for Abi he had posted on Facebook: ‘Has anyone seen Abi if you have can you please let me know or get her to give me a ring.’

In an emotional tribute released after her death, Abi’s heartbroken family described her as a ‘beautiful angel’ and promised to bring up her baby girl ‘the way she would.’ In a statement, they said: ‘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.

In an emotional tribute released after her death, Abi’s heartbroken family described her as a ‘beautiful angel’ and promised to bring up her baby girl ‘the way she would.’

The husband of Abi Fisher has pleaded guilty to murdering her just six months after she gave birth to their daughter.

School teacher Abi from Castleford, was last seen leaving her home in Walton Park Street on July 8 around midnight but did not tell anyone where she was going, her family told police.

‘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.’

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