Pensioner Charged With Murder, Wife’s Body Found In Septic Tank Almost 40 Years Later

A pensioner is accused of murdering his wife, whose body was discovered in a septic tank after 40 years after her death. David Venables, 88, is suspected of murdering his wife, Brenda Venables, 48 (d), in 1982.

Brenda was reported missing from their home in Bestmans Lane, Kempsey on May 2, 1982. However, her remains were discovered at the home in the Worcestershire village on July 12, 2019, prompting West Mercia Police to initiate a murder inquiry.

The body was found after the tank was emptied for standard maintenance. Following the discovery of the body that month, investigators from West Mercia Police conducted searches at a property in Kempsey.

According to Mark Paul, the head of the complicated casework team, “The decision to authorize the charge against the defendant was made after careful consideration of all the available evidence of this complex case and determining that a prosecution is required in the public interest.”

He also mentioned that the purported crime happened between May 2 and May 5 in 1982.

“The function of the CPS is not to decide whether a person is guilty of a criminal offense, but to make fair, independent, and objective assessments about whether criminal charges are appropriate,” Paul added.

“Criminal proceedings are now active, and there must be no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online which could prejudice these proceedings,” he continued.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said that David would appear in Worcester Magistrates' Court on June 15.

Last week, a 24-year-old man confessed to the murder of a 28-year-old model whose body was found in the River Severn on February 10. Charles Byrne admitted guilt to killing Christina Rowe whose body was discovered in the River Severn in Worcester.

Byrne appeared at Warwick Crown Court, pleading guilty to manslaughter but denying the allegation of murder.

He also disputed the attempted murder of another victim, and his trial was delayed until November 29, when he will stand trial at Worcester Crown Court.

Rowe, who was born in Angeles, Philippines came to the UK in 2018 and resided in Worcester's Cheviot Close.