Murder victim found buried in back garden died from stab wound to neck

Nicholas Billingham, who was found buried in the back garden of a Northampton house, died from a stab wound to the neck, a post-mortem concludes.

Primary school teacher Fiona Beal is alleged to have murdered Mr Billingham between October 30 and November 10 last year.

Mr Billingham’s identity and cause of death were identified at Leicester Royal Infirmary, Northamptonshire Police have said.

Nicholas Billingham whose remains were found buried in the back garden of a Northampton house. A post-mortem conducted at Leicester Royal Infirmary has found Mr Billingham died as a result of a stab wound to the neck.
Northamptonshire Police

Beal was arrested at a hotel in Cumbria shortly after midnight on March 16 and leading detectives started an extensive search of her home.

Forensic officers and specialist search teams, including a cadaver dog, were deployed to the address before the discovery was made.

The 48-year-old defendant, of Moore Street, was remanded into custody by a crown court judge.

She is to appear at Northampton Crown Court for a pre-trial hearing on April 19.

Northampton’s Eastfield Academy, where Beal worked before her arrest, said they were “shocked and saddened” to hear of Mr Billingham’s death, describing the incident as an “appalling tragedy that will shake our school community”.

Police have urged anyone with any information about the case to contact them on 101.