Frances Obiefuleh murder trial: Neighbour heard "very loud bangs" on night before Havant woman was found dead

A trial is ongoing into the killing of 45-year-old Frances Obiefuleh, with Norbert Maiksner, 48 from Timsbury Crescent, Havant, charged with her murder and one count of child neglect.

Maiksner had a not guilty plea entered on his behalf by the judge, Mr Justice Murray, and has not appeared in court so far during the trial - although it can continue in his absence.

At Portsmouth Crown Court today (Thursday, March 19), the jury heard from a man Obiefuleh went on a date with prior to her death, as well as one of her neighbours, who told them about the noises he heard from the house on the night before her body was discovered by police.

Giving evidence, James Mitchell said he originally thought his wife had injured herself when he heard a series of loud bangs coming from upstairs, but soon realised they were coming from next door.

He said: “She [Ms Obiefuleh] had been in the house for about a year in a half. I spoke to them a few times; she would be at home all day, so we rarely ever saw her outside.

“Infrequently, they [Maiksner and Ms Obiefuleh] had a few arguments and you could hear it through the walls, but nothing too out of the ordinary.

“The main thing I hard was what sounded like something coming down the stairs. It was very loud, much louder than normal noises - it sounded like a wardrobe hitting the floorboards, as if it was coming through the ceiling.”

Doorbell camera footage showed Maiksner entering the house earlier in the evening on April 16, 2025, carrying a bunch of shopping bags. He was wearing a full camo outfit at the time. Ms Obiefuleh’s body was found by police the following day, with blue tape covering her face and head. A post-mortem ruled her cause of death as smothering.

Mr Mitchell added: “There was another noise straight after that, just as loud. I went outside to see what was happeing next door, but I couldn’t see anything.

“I would say there were three or four loud bangs in total. It sounded like they could be having a big argument.”

The jury also heard from Nabi Durnish, who took Ms Obiefuleh out on a date on Sunday, April 13 - four days before her body was found. He told the court that they went to Hayling Island for the day, and that she informed him her ex-partner was still in her life.

He said: “We spoke every day following the date, and we had nice chats.

“In the evening [April 16] she was talking to me on the phone as she put a child to bed. We were chatting at the same time.

“[The next day] my messages weren’t getting through. Every time I sent a text, it was not being delivered. I wasn’t sure if her phone was off, or if I had been blocked or something.”

Durnish was later informed by police that Ms Obiefuleh had died.

Proceeding