A man strangled his wife to death while their two daughters slept in their bedrooms. He then made several botched suicide attempts before crashing his car at a nearby McDonald's.

Paul Knight pleaded guilty to the murder of Isobella "Izzy" Knight on Thursday (January 8). The court heard how he killed her inside their home in Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire, on June 13 last year. The 36-year-old attacked his church-going wife in a violent rage after becoming "fuelled by jealousy".

The morning after killing Izzy, Knight asked his mother to look after their children. He claimed he and Izzy were unwell before making a number of attempts to end his own life.

He then drove to a nearby McDonald's and crashed his car in the car park. Police officers were called to the scene of the collision before searching Knight's home.

It was at this point they discovered Izzy's body and Knight was subsequently arrested and charged with murder. He will be sentenced at Northampton Crown Court on Thursday, January 29.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Torie Harrison from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit Major Crime Team, said: "This is a tragic case of violence against a woman who had everything to live for and I am pleased Paul Knight has finally decided to tell the truth and admit to his wife’s murder.

"It is clear to see through the words written by her parents that Izzy was an incredible woman with so many positive qualities and so many reasons to live.

"Her life was cut short by a man fuelled by thoughts only for himself. He has left two daughters without a mother and there is no sentence that could ever make up for that.

"I am glad that Izzy’s family do not now have to go through further pain in the form of a trial and my thoughts remain with them at what continues to be a very difficult time."

Following her death, Izzy's family described her as "beautiful, inside and out". Her mum Helena said she was "so much more than a victim".

She added: "She was a loving mother, a treasured daughter, a best friend in sister form, a talented artist, and a great friend. She laughed, she cried, she worked tirelessly to provide for her children, she had dreams, and she loved hard.

"She was such a lovely woman, and I already miss her so much. She will never ever be forgotten, and we will make sure her girls grow up knowing what an incredible person she was."

Her dad Tim said: “When I think of Izzy, it’s as a mum. She was wonderful, she just shone.  

“She encouraged her children to find their talents, and now as her family we will keep her memory alive for them. We will stand side by side and say to them ‘this is your mum, and she was brilliant and wonderful, and she loved you so much’, just the way I have always loved her.” 

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