MAN BRUTALLY MURDERS WIFE AND STEPDAUGHTER
A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 29 years for the murder of his wife and her daughter in an act described as 'wanton savagery'.Christopher Boon, aged 28, carried out the attack by stabbing Laura Mortimer and her daughter Ella Dalby multiple times in their kitchen in Dexter Way, Gloucester, on the 28th of May.
At the time of the assault, Boon’s arm was in a plaster cast, which was a result of a previous incident ten days earlier when he punched a wall after Mortimer expressed her desire for divorce, threatening her with the comment, 'that was meant for your face.' During the trial, Bristol crown court heard that Mortimer 'fought for her life' as Boon attacked, with Ella, aged 11, coming downstairs to help her mother.
Mortimer sustained 18 stab wounds, mainly on her face and neck, while Ella was wounded by 24 separate stab injuries.
Mrs Justice May described how both women had injuries from attempting to defend themselves against Boon’s 'unspeakable savagery'.
The court was told that bloodstains on Ella’s feet suggested she entered the scene after her mother was already bleeding, indicating she witnessed part of the attack and tried to intervene before Boon turned on her.
The two victims were found lying side by side when they died, and the judge condemned Boon’s actions as acts of selfish rage and cruelty.
Boon, who works as an electrical engineer, had a prior record of domestic violence, including a 2010 conviction for assault, battery, and criminal damage against a former partner and her mother, which resulted in a nine-month sentence suspended for two years.
Richard Smith QC provided background that Boon and Mortimer had been married for five years and that Ella was living with them.
It was recounted that in January 2014, Mortimer had approached neighbors in a distressed state, claiming Boon had assaulted her; police were involved but she declined to pursue prosecution.
Further events included Boon threatening a friend and her family after they expressed concern about his behavior.
In 2018, Boon engaged in an affair, which was disclosed to Mortimer by the other woman, and there were reports from friends of abusive behavior towards Ella.
On 17 May, Mortimer confided that she needed to leave Boon after an incident where he 'went for her' and she expressed her intention to divorce him.
He had previously punched a hole in a wall, remarking it was 'meant for your face.' Ten days prior to the killings, Mortimer visited a pub and discussed her husband's unhappiness about her request to leave, returning home around 1.10am and speaking with her aunt via FaceTime shortly thereafter.
Within hours of her return, Boon attacked and murdered both her and Ella.
Witnesses recounted Ella leaving her bed to aid her mother after hearing the violence unfold, only to become a victim herself.
The attack was described as a brutal, sustained assault resulting in multiple stab wounds to their faces and necks, both dying quickly from their injuries.
Victims' personal statements highlighted Mortimer’s success as a wedding planner and her qualities as a devoted mother, while Ella was remembered for her exceptional talent in dance.
Their funeral was attended by over 1,000 mourners at Gloucester Cathedral.
Boon’s defense argued that the murders were not planned but resulted from a complete loss of control, with Stephen Leslie QC indicating that his client’s actions were impulsive.
After the sentencing, the families expressed their grief, stating that no punishment could truly reflect the tragic loss they suffered and that Boon’s imprisonment will allow him to reflect on his actions and their devastating impact.
