Frances Obiefuleh murder: Killer Norbert Maiksner jailed for life as relatives open up about 'heartbreak'
A man who killed a woman inside her own home in Havant has been jailed for life.
Norbert Maiksner, 49 from Timsbury Crescent in Havant, was found guilty of murdering 45-year-old Frances Obiefuleh by a jury last week.
Ms Obiefuleh’s body was found in her home by police on April 17 last year, with a child also left in the property. Maiksner was arrested by the side of the M40 near High Wycombe that same day, after he told a traffic officer he had killed his girlfriend.
Having been arrested and taken to Portsmouth for further questioning, Maiksner refused to answer police questions, instead insisting that Ms Obiefuleh’s death was simply a “bad dream” that he would soon wake up from.
During the trial, the court heard how his relationship with Ms Obiefuleh had broken down, and that she had been on a date with another man a few days prior to her death. Maiksner was seen entering her home on the evening of April 16 via doorbell camera, but after the wi-fi was turned off at the mains socket, was not captured leaving the property.
Ms Obiefuleh’s body was found by police the following morning, after Maiksner’s roadside confession 70 miles away. She had blue tape wrapped around her face and head, with a post-mortem ruling her cause of death as smothering, with an element of neck and/or chest compression.
Maiksner had scratches on his face and body, police said, while blood splatters on his clothing matched Ms Obiefuleh’s DNA profile.
After a two-week trial, a jury at Portsmouth Crown Court found him guilty of murder, and another count of child cruelty, reaching their verdict on Friday, March 27.
The court heard how throughout the judicial process, he refused to speak with his solicitors, never entered a plea in court and did not appear even once during his trial; for sentencing, he appeared via video link from HMP Winchester, wearing a grey t-shirt and black trousers, and flanked by prison officers as he stared down at the floor, breathing heavily.
Prior to his sentencing, victim impact statements were read out in court from Ms Obiefuleh’s loved ones.
Prosecutor, Paul Cavin KC read out a statement on behalf of Sydney Obiefuleh, her brother. He said: “Frances was a hard-working woman who had a lot going for her, having just settled in her dream home.
“Frances was supposed to come back home to help with our mother’s burial - instead we had to mourn her own death.
“When I received the crushing news of Frances’s death, my world collapsed. Since that day, I have been struggling every single day; constant stress, grief and trauma have taken a heavy toll on me.
“I think about Frances every day. She should still be here, living her life - instead her life was ended violently by the man she was in a relationship with.
“I want the court to understand the full impact of what Norbert Maiksner has done to our family.”
One of Frances’ sisters, Mitchella Mbaeri, added: “The loss of my sister Frances has caused profound grief. Following her death, I experienced severe anxiety, insomnia and persistent fear.
“Losing my sister so violently removed my assumption that everyday life was safe.
“The consequences of this crime on our family life is immeasurable. My sister’s absence is permanent, and the violent nature of her death has left a psychological scar. There is an empty space where my sister should be, in celebrations and daily conversations.”
Mr Cavin KC then addressed the judge and said: “This was a brutal murder, with the forceful application of tape to Frances’ face while she was still alive. This, sadly, was not a short-lived attack.
“There was evidence that the defendant was spying on her prior to the murder, and there was evidence of him secreting a hidden camera in her bedroom.”
Maiksner had no previous convictions in the UK, but while living in his native Poland had one civil offence dating back to 2002, the court heard.
Defending Maiksner, Jodie Mitchell KC argued that there was “insufficient evidence” that Ms Obiefuleh’s murder was pre-meditated, with the defendant having entered the property with a number of carrier bags earlier in the afternoon of April 16.
It was also suggested that while in custody, Maiksner has shown symptoms consistent with disassociative amnesia. As he was sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court, he began to shake and had to be seated by prison officers.
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Sentencing, Mr Justice Murray said: “I have had considerable time to think about this. We have heard the moving personal statements of Ms Obiefuleh’s siblings and niece. These statements speak with heartbreaking eloquence of the profound grief of Frances’ loss.
“That is a result of your crimes.
“You had been in a relationship for at least 18 months. It appears the relationship had largely come to an end. This murder was committed in an intimate context - she was literally fighting for her life.”
Maiksner was jailed for life, with a minimum term of 24 years, with 334 days taken off for the time he has already spent in custody. For the count of child cruelty, he will serve nine concurrently.
In a statement, Detective Sergeant Heather Kenwright from the western major crime team said: “I am glad to see Maiksner face a life behind bars for committing the most heinous and evil of acts, it is what he deserves for taking the life of an innocent woman.
“He has caused such unthinkable suffering to both Frances in the last moments of her life, and to her family, who have had their loved one taken from them so brutally and must now try to rebuild their lives without her.
“My thoughts remain with Frances’s family, and whilst no sentence can ever truly bring them justice for the tragic loss of Frances’s life, I hope it brings them some semblance of closure to know that Maiksner is now facing the consequences of his abhorrent actions.
“It is a terrible truth that violence, abuse, assault and in the worst cases, murder, can often come at the hands of a partner. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary is committed to helping anyone who comes forward to report any incident of this nature to us, and to seeing those responsible be brought to justice.”
For advice and information on how to report domestic abuse to us, visit the police website. You can also click here to make an application about a current or ex-partner via Clare’s Law.