WOMAN FOUND GUILTY OF MURDERING AND DISMEMBERING HER MOTHER IN SHROPSHIRE
A woman killed her mother, whose remains were found in woods, a jury has found.Lucy Fox was subject to trial-of-facts proceedings, after being deemed unfit to enter pleas and the case was heard in her absence.
The partial, dismembered remains of her mother, Judith Fox, were found in Shropshire in July 2020, a month after she was last seen.
Following the ruling, Fox was made the subject of a hospital order.
The 39-year-old accused, of Bernards Hill, Bridgnorth, was charged with murder and also arson with intent to endanger life in connection with a fire at her brother Nicholas' house in Apley Park in the county.
The jury was not asked to ascertain guilt, but establish whether Fox carried out the killing and started the fire - which they concluded she did.
The judge said Fox would likely spend 'a very considerable degree of life in hospital' after being diagnosed with a paranoid illness consistent with paranoid schizophrenia.
Fox was also subject to a restriction order, meaning her release would not be authorised unless an independent mental health tribunal was satisfied she does not pose a risk to the public.
The judge paid tribute to the family’s dignity during the harrowing case and offered condolences to the family of Mrs Fox.
Dave Bagnall, a former colleague of Judith Fox, described her death as 'difficult to comprehend' and expressed that she was helpful and supportive to him during a family bereavement.
Senior Investigating Officer, Det Ch Insp Mark Bellamy, described the killing as tragic and senseless, leaving a devastated family, and commended the investigation team for their efforts.
