Tina Satchwell's loved ones say portrayal of her in trial was ‘not who she was'

Sunday World

a day ago

We as a family can never put into words the impact her loss has had on us.
Speaking outside the Criminal Courts of Justice building today after Richard Satchwell was found guilty of murdering his wife of 25 years, Tina Satchwell's half-sister, Lorraine Howard, made a statement on behalf of the family. Ms Satchwell's cousin Sarah Howard also said a few words.
Members of the Howard family (Lorraine Howard, centre, in red jacket and Sarah Howard in denim jacket) speak to the press after the conviction of Richard Satchwell for the murder of his wife Tina. Photo Collins Courts
Lorraine Howard said: "We would like to thank the judge and Tina's [legal] team Gerardine Small, Imelda Kelly, Maria Brosnan and Catherine McAleer. Their hard work and professionalism shone through like the classy ladies that you are".
"We will never be able to put into words how thankful we are for you. We want to sincerely thank the judge and jury for their dedication. We would like to thank all the witnesses who helped us reach this verdict today".
"I would like to personally thank Sarah Howard, who came up to give evidence and her support two weeks postpartum with a beautiful baby girl, you did yourself and Tina proud. Thank you to Anne Marie Twomey and David Kelleher for putting the pieces together and finding Tina".
Tina's cousin, Sarah Howard then made a statement, telling the media: "During this trial Tina was portrayed in a way that is not true to who she was.
Tina Satchwell
"Tina was our precious sister, cousin, auntie and daughter. Her presence in our lives meant so much to us all. We as a family can never put into words the impact her loss has had on us. Tina was a kind, loving and gentle soul, who loved her animals like they loved her and that's the way we want her remembered. Today as a family we finally have justice for Tina and at this time our family would like to ask for privacy to begin our healing. Thank you".
Earlier today, Tina's husband was found guilt by a jury of murdering his wife Tina and burying her under the stairs where she lay for six and a half years.
Satchwell had denied the killing at their Youghal home in Co Cork in March 2017, claiming she died in a struggle after she suddenly 'flew' at him with a chisel.
However, this was dismissed by a Central Criminal Court jury who took nine hours and 28 minutes to find him guilty of his wife's murder.
There were three verdicts the jury could return in relation to the murder charge against him; guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter or not guilty.
Satchwell kept his head bowed as the jury returned their verdict on the fourth day of their deliberations.
Mr Justice Paul McDermott was told that the jury of seven women and five men had reached a unanimous guilty verdict.
Two jurors appeared to become emotional as loud sobs were heard from a family member of Tina at the back of the court.
Satchwell now faces a mandatory life sentence and that hearing will take place on June 4.
The truck driver has been in custody since he was charged with his wife's murder in October 2023.
The Leicester native spent years telling family, friends, gardaí and the media she had left him taking €26,000 in savings with her.
He claimed their relationship had deteriorated because of her depression and he had suffered years of violent abuse at her hands.
Richard Satchwell had denied murder his wife Tina
Satchwell has been in custody since October 2023 when he was charged with his wife's murder.
The truck driver stuck to his story even after being arrested on suspicion of murder on 10 October 2023 and being told a garda search team would be going through the walls and digging up his home.
Satchwell finally changed his story when he was re-arrested after the remains were found in the three-foot hole where he had buried his wife and sealed it with cement. Read more
But even then, he never made it clear how Tina died saying that she suddenly slumped as he lay on his back holding her off with a dressing gown belt as she tried to stab him.
He told gardaí how he sat on the floor cradling her, his face wet with tears, but couldn't answer why he hadn't tried to revive her or call for help.
Instead, he tried to keep things looking normal, collecting the couple's dole shortly after she died and sent an email to deliberately give the impression Tina was still alive at that time.
During four weeks of evidence, the 12-member jury heard from 57 different witnesses including family, friends, gardaí and the forensic experts who removed her body from the house.
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They also watched videos of Satchwell being interviewed by gardaí in which he said there would be no jury because he would be pleading guilty.
He said he wouldn't allow it to go to a full trial because he wanted to protect Tina's secret, that she had been violent toward him.
When he was charged with murder at Cobh Garda Station on Friday 13 October, 2023, he replied: 'Guilty, not gutilty, guilty.'
Tina's cousin Sarah Howard and sister Lorraine Howard gave evidence about Tina and both said they had never witnessed Tina being violent.
They had only heard the claims by Richard after Tina had disappeared, which he also repeated in media interviews he gave in 2018.
Dr Margaret Bolster, the assistant State Pathologist, said that because of the length of time the body had been in the ground it was not possible to determine a cause of death.
She had been buried still wearing her pyjamas and dressing gown, with the belt tied across her body and over her shoulder.
Dr Bolster said she immediately thought the belt had been tied this way to help in moving it.
Satchwell had admitted putting her body in a chest freezer before moving her into the hole he had dug, wrapping the corpse in plastic and filling it in.
He claimed he had done so 'respectfully' and had gone in search of flowers to lay on her body which was discovered face-down with one leg bent up.