Son accused of mother’s murder dies in custody days before trial

A TEENAGER accused of murdering his mother at her Hampshire cottage has been found dead in custody on the eve of his trial.

Rowan Thompson had been due to appear in court today accused of killing his mother, Joanna, at her home in Hambledon in July last year.

But yesterday it was revealed that he had died at the secure mental health facility where he was being held.

It is understood the former private school pupil died over the weekend. The trial has been cancelled and an investigation will take place to establish the circumstances of this death.

Mrs Thompson, 50, a mother of two, was discovered with fatal injuries to her neck at her cottage on July 1.

The killing shocked residents of the peaceful village and it later emerged that Mrs Thompson’s eldest son, Rowan, had been arrested by police on suspicion of murder.

It is understood he was being held at a secure mental health unit in the Greater Manchester area ahead of the trial, which had been due to take place at Winchester Crown Court.

A Crown Prosecution Service spokesman said: “We can confirm that the trial of Rowan Thompson has been vacated due to the death of the defendant.”

A spokesman for Winchester Crown Court said a short hearing would now take place on Friday.

In June this year reporting restrictions preventing Thompson from being identified were lifted after he turned 18.

His father, Marc, had previously listened in to a court hearing via a video link.