Killer strangled girlfriend on night she planned to leave him

A man has been found guilty of murdering a woman on the night she planned to end their relationship. Kieron Goodwin, from Frome, denied killing 29-year-old Olivia Wood, but was found guilty following a five-week trial at Bristol Crown Court.

- Shannon Brown

The court heard how Goodwin had been in a relationship with Olivia for just three months when he strangled her to death on July 30, 2024. It followed a campaign of physical and psychological abuse.

Goodwin threatened to harm himself, forcing Olivia to take time off work, the court was told. WhatsApp messages also showed him trying to pressure Olivia into having sex with another man, despite her repeated refusals.

Olivia also gave Goodwin more than £6,000 to help him pay bills, which he instead spent on cocaine. In addition to being convicted of murdering Olivia, Goodwin was also found guilty of 15 other offences against her and three other women over a five-year period. On Tuesday, July 30, 2024, Goodwin called the ambulance service on 999 at 2.50am. He reported that Olivia was not breathing and she was taken to hospital.

Police officers were called 10 minutes after paramedics arrived at his flat in Portway, over concerns about Olivia's injuries. Goodwin was arrested on suspicion of intentional strangulation later that day.