Husband who stabbed, strangled and beat his wife to death was frustrated she wouldn’t divorce him

Husband who ‘stabbed, strangled and beat his disability campaigner wife to death was frustrated that she wouldn’t give him divorce’

  • Raymond Hoadley, 62, accused of murdering his wife Jackie, 58 in July last year 
  • Jury at Lewes Crown Court in Hove were told couple built up savings of £1.3m 
  • Mrs Hoadley found with seven stab wounds to face and neck at Eastbourne home

Raymond Hoadley, 62, (pictured) is accused of murdering his wife Jackie 

A man accused of stabbing, strangling and beating his disability campaigner wife to death was frustrated that she wouldn’t give him a divorce.   

Raymond Hoadley, 62, is accused of murdering his wife Jackie, 58, two weeks after drawing up a contract which handed him their £1.3m savings if she died. 

A jury at Lewes Crown Court in Hove were told the couple built up savings and investments worth £1m over a 25 year marriage and had a £300,000 house in Eastbourne, East Sussex.

Hoadley drew up a hand written contract giving him full control of the family fortune if his wife died before her body was found at the family home on July 5 last year. 

The couple adopted two severely disabled children and Jackie was a respected campaigner for families dealing with complex issues. 

They were also both directors of another £300,000 fund set up with a criminal injury payout for their adopted daughter.    

Mrs Hoadley was found in the bedroom with seven stab wounds to the face and neck. Her carotid artery and jugular vein had been severed.

Defensive wounds to her arms showed she tried to fight off her attacker.

The couple adopted Eleanor, nine, and Matthew now aged 16, and both children are severely disabled, requiring 24 hour care.

Hoadley drew up a contract giving him full control of the family fortune if his wife died, before her body was found at home on July 5 last year (pictured together with their children)

 Hoadley drew up a contract giving him full control of the family fortune if his wife died, before her body was found at home on July 5 last year (pictured together with their children) 

Matthew was in residential care with Chailey Heritage School near Lewes when his mother was murdered.

Eleanor, who cannot walk and is blind, was in the next room.

Hoadley had told a family friend he wanted a divorce and a settlement, the jury were told.

Carol Bentley was a friend of Mr and Mrs Hoadley and she told the court how the husband was overly cautious about spending money.

She said he even refused to pay for his own mental health counselling.

Mrs Bentley spoke with Hoadley three weeks before his wife was murdered.

She said: ‘He said he wanted to sort out a divorce and the money. He said she wasn’t entering into that sort of conversation.

‘She didn’t want to discuss it. He had some degree of frustration. I said give her time. He didn’t respond.

Mrs Bentley said he was frustrated as the majority of their money was in his wife’s name or joint accounts. 

He had moved out of the family home and was living in a bedsit.

Ms Hoadley was found dead at the family home (above) in Eastbourne, East Sussex, in July

Ms Hoadley was found dead at the family home (above) in Eastbourne, East Sussex, in July

She added: ‘He said Jackie could have the house and the children’s allowances and he would have the remainder.’ 

Maureen Robson was friends with Mrs Hoadley her whole life and during a phone call around Easter last year, she had been told the couple were splitting up. 

She said: ‘She was very very upset. I was worried about her. Ray had told her he was going to step away from things.

‘With the covid problem, Jackie knew she wouldn’t be able to cope on her own.’ 

Mrs Robson added: ‘I gathered it was because he wanted to not look after the children any more.

‘From what she said, he wanted to step away and continue with his life.’

Raymond Hoadley denies murdering his wife Jackie Hoadley.

The trial continues.