ROBERT OWENS SHOCKS CAERPHILLY WITH BRUTAL MURDER OF MOTHER USING CHAINSAW

On July 14th, 2019, Robert Owens, a resident of Caerphilly, tragically passed away while incarcerated at HMP Long Lartin. His death marked the end of a disturbing chapter in a case that shocked the local community and drew widespread media attention.

Back in 2016, Owens was involved in a heinous act that resulted in the death of his 75-year-old mother, Iris Owens, a respected retired history lecturer and dedicated charity worker. The incident occurred at their shared residence in Caerphilly, South Wales, where Owens carried out a brutal attack with a chainsaw, leading to her tragic demise.

Initially, Owens attempted to explain the circumstances to police, claiming that his mother had fallen onto the chainsaw while he was cutting pallets for their wood-burning stove. However, as investigations progressed, he confessed to the murder, revealing the true extent of the violence inflicted upon his mother.

During the sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court, Judge Nicola Davies described Iris Owens as a good mother, emphasizing the close, loving, and supportive relationship she shared with her son. The judge acknowledged that only Owens knew what transpired on that fateful day, but she made it clear that his actions were a terrible and tragic event. She characterized the murder as senseless and noted that Owens accepted the gravity of his crime.

Although there was no evidence to suggest that Owens had planned the attack, the court recognized the terrifying ordeal his mother endured. Owens, then aged 47, called emergency services at 5:21 pm after the assault, claiming that his mother had gone mad and that he was chopping wood when she fell onto the chainsaw. Paramedics arrived to find Iris Owens lying on her back, with visible injuries including a neck and head laceration, a black eye, and blood splattered on a nearby wall and a tree stump. Owens was found with blood on his hands.

Prosecutor Christopher Clee recounted that witnesses had seen Ms. Owens hanging out her washing in the garden shortly after 5 pm on May 3rd. A neighbor then heard the sound of a chainsaw, which was a key piece of evidence linking Owens to the attack. Owens was arrested at 6 pm on suspicion of murder. During police interviews, he expressed remorse and confusion, stating, “I know, I’m going to jail. I can’t believe this has happened. I was just chopping wood. Why did this have to happen?”

Later, Owens admitted to the court that he did not intend to kill his mother, claiming that she had fallen onto the chainsaw while he was cutting pallets. However, evidence presented during the trial revealed that Owens had also strangled and kicked his mother in the ribs, indicating a pattern of violence.

Witness statements painted a complex picture of Owens’ relationship with his mother. One individual noted that although Owens sometimes appeared “odd,” he was not frightening, and at times behaved like “a child who wanted attention.” The court was informed that the two had begun living together following the death of Ms. Owens’ husband. Owens struggled with drug addiction, with heroin, morphine, and cocaine found in his system after the incident.

Judge Davies paid tribute to Iris Owens, describing her as a vibrant woman who enjoyed helping others and lived life to the fullest. Owens had a criminal record, including convictions for dishonesty and violence, but there was no record of mental health issues. His history underscored the tragic nature of this case, which ended with a life sentence. Owens was ordered to serve a minimum of 12 years and six months before being eligible for parole, reflecting the severity of his crime and the devastating impact on his family and community.