HUSBAND HID WIFE’S BODY IN A FREEZER AND TEXTED FAMILY AS HER — NOW HE’S BEEN SENTENCED

A British man who murdered his wife, concealed her body in a freezer and sent messages pretending to be her has been sentenced to life in prison.

David Barraclough, 46, was sentenced on October 9, 2026, after admitting to the murder of his wife, Carolann Barraclough, a mother of three.

Prosecutors said Carolann was killed at the family home in West Yorkshire, England, sometime between February 19 and 21. Her body was then hidden inside a chest freezer in the home’s utility room.

In the weeks that followed, Barraclough allegedly told relatives, friends and neighbours that Carolann was in hospital recovering from an illness. He also used her phone to send messages suggesting she was still alive and would soon return home.

The deception continued while Carolann’s family waited for news about her.

Prosecutors also told the court that Barraclough downloaded the dating app Tinder just two days after the killing and withdrew substantial amounts of money from the couple’s joint bank account.

On March 5, he went to Normanton Police Station and told a receptionist, “I’ve killed my wife.” Officers later discovered Carolann’s body at the family home.

Barraclough initially claimed he had acted in self-defence, but he ultimately pleaded guilty to murder on the first day of his trial.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 22 years and one month before he can be considered for release.

The case has left Carolann’s family facing an immense loss. Prosecutors praised her eldest daughter for providing important evidence during the investigation and expressed hope that the sentence would bring some measure of justice to the family.

The case is a devastating reminder of how a family’s trust can be exploited and how the effects of domestic violence can extend far beyond the immediate victim.

Source:

PEOPLE

Additional source: Crown Prosecution Service