Killer pleads guilty to murdering wife
AHUSBAND is facing life in jail after admitting murdering his wife and dumping her body in countryside.
Company boss Christopher Kerrell, 35, tried to cover his tracks by joining a missing persons appeal for wife Hollie, pictured left.
He previously denied being responsible for killing 28-yearold Hollie but yesterday, on what was scheduled to be the first day of his trial, he pleaded guilty.
Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court heard Kerrell will be jailed for life.
A huge police search was launched for mother-of-three Hollie when she disappeared in April 22 this year.
Her body was discovered four days later at a countryside spot nine miles away from her family home in Knucklas, near Knighton. Specialist police teams found her body in farmland in Whitton.
Hollie and Christopher Kerrell had been married for five years and had three children together.
But Hollie and her husband
had separated in the weeks leading up to her disappearance.
Christopher Kerrell had moved out of the family home, near the English border, and was living in a rented property nearby.
But when Hollie was reported missing, Kerrell appealed on Facebook for people to join the search.
He shared her missing persons details and urged friends to “get in touch” if they had seen her.
Kerrell, of Knighton, was asked how he pleaded to the single charge of murder. He answered: “Guilty.”
He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced next week.
Judge Mr Justice Morris told him he will be jailed for life.
When Hollie’s body was found, Superintendent Jon Cummins said: “We are saddened to confirm a body has been found during the search for missing Hollie Kerrell.
“Our thoughts are with her family who are being supported by specially trained officers at this extremely sad time.
“The man arrested on suspicion of her murder remains in police custody for questioning and I would like to reassure the community we are not looking for anyone else in connection with Hollie’s death.”
After her death, a tribute from her family said: “Our beautiful Hollie loved life and lit up every room she was in.
“There was never a dull moment with our quirky, funny Hollie around. She was the glue that held our family together and she will be missed terribly.”