Body of Biggleswade mother, 38, was found in purple suitcase dumped in her wheelie bin three months after she went missing, court hears

The body of a mother of three who was “killed by her ex-partner” was found in a purple suitcase dumped in her garbage can, a court heard today.

Sarah Albone, 38, had not been seen for three months when her body was discovered in the rubbish bin behind her home, the jury was told.

She was said to have been the victim of a ‘frantic attack’ by Matthew Waddell, 35, with whom she had a ‘toxic relationship’.

Prosecutors say he killed her in late November last year and dumped her body before telling her family she was being treated at a London hospital.

He was charged with her murder in March.

Luton Crown Court jurors were also told that he had sent text messages from Mrs Albone’s mobile phone, posing as her and selling her belongings.

In a letter later found in her home, Waddell is said to have written, “I stamped on your head so many times.”

Ms Albone was reported missing by her family on 21 February, having not been seen since before Christmas.

Waddell was arrested and interviewed by police, but declined to answer questions.

Her remains were discovered after police searched her home and found that an outside bin had been taped shut.

Officers found her body, dressed in pajamas and in a fetal position, in a purple suitcase in the garbage can that was wrapped in “industrial cling film,” jurors heard.

Prosecutor Martin Mulgrew told the court that the body had been there for “several months” and that Waddell’s fingerprints were on the tape holding the bin shut.

He said the attack, which involved stamping, kicking, punching and possibly using a weapon, had taken place in the victim’s bedroom in late November.

He said Mrs Albone, who had multiple sclerosis, had been attacked while getting in or out of bed.

At the address in Biggleswade, Beds, a letter was found, purportedly from Waddell, which read: ‘So I stomped on your head so many times that I literally crushed your head.

‘But you were still breathing. I took a towel and wrapped it around your head. Blood everywhere. I stared at your chest.’

It continued, “I felt nothing.”

Mr Mulgrew said: ‘This is a full and detailed confession to her murder.’

A pathologist on the case said the letter found by police “could fit the nature of the injuries Sarah Albone sustained.”

Her cause of death was determined to be “airway obstruction caused by catastrophic head injuries.”

An autopsy found a complex facial wound and fractures all over her body.

Inside the house, there were indications that attempts had been made to clean the scene, with carpet and gloves found in the bin along with her body, the court heard.

A large amount of blood had seeped through the carpet and onto the floorboards of the bedrooms. Blood splatters were on the wall near the double socket and radiator.

After the murder, the prosecution said Waddell had tried in a “sophisticated manner” to provide false information about Ms Albone’s whereabouts.

Mr Mulgrew added: ‘To confuse family, friends and the police, he sent text messages from her phone and pretended to be her.

“He pretended she was in a hospital in London and didn’t want to see anyone. He took money from her account and started selling her belongings online.”

CCTV footage from a shop in Biggleswade shows Waddell withdrawing money from Ms Albone’s account, Mr Mulgrew said.

The court heard that the couple met in November 2020 and had a “toxic relationship.”

In January 2021, Ms Albone ended their relationship because she felt he was emotionally controlling, the jurors were told.

But in April 2021, they rekindled the relationship and in August of that year, Mrs. Albone suffered a stroke. In September, she ended the relationship again.

Despite this, Waddell would contact her and show up at her home, the court heard.

Waddell was arrested for harassment and released on police bail provided he did not contact her. But he ignored this and continued to visit her house.

In December 2021, Mrs Albone reported her ex-partner for assault.

In a statement to police, she had explained his controlling and coercive behavior and complained that he watched pornography and talked to other women.

Her stepsister and a family friend of Waddell’s, Corinne Foster, had not heard from Mrs. Albone since November 24 last year and had previously been in regular contact.

Waddell, posing as Mrs. Albone, responded to Mrs. Foster’s texts, the jury was told. He is said to have written, “I am fine. I’m in hospital in London. I’ll be home at the beginning of March.’

When asked why “Sarah” hadn’t told her about her time in the hospital, the court heard him say, “Sorry honey. A big part is my mental health. They are preparing a plan for me.’

Mr Mulgrew said: ‘This aroused Corinne Foster’s suspicions. That was because of the way the lyrics were written. Sarah Albone would never have called her “sweetie.”

“The tone and grammar didn’t match.”

Mrs. Foster recorded a phone conversation with Waddell, explaining that Mrs. Albone’s phone was broken and she couldn’t use the loudspeaker.

He told her, “It was really surreal – I can’t go every day without her. It’s been hard. She’s in the best place possible.’

Wardell denies murder.

The process continues.