Sister of Samantha Murphy shares ‘indescribable’ grief as mum-of-three's murderer is sentenced

The sister of a ‘loving’ mum-of-three has told a courtroom of her ‘indescribable devastation’ and grief during the sentencing of her sibling’s murderer.

Portsmouth Crown Court heard from Samantha Murphy’s loved ones today (June 17) at the sentencing hearing of her partner, Charlie Jeans, who strangled her to death in her North End home on June 5, 2025.

A victim statement from Jodie Murphy, told the court of her heartache since her younger sister’s death which had left the family devastated.

She said: “There was a ten year age gap. She wasn’t just my sister, she was one of the most important people in my world. No words can truly described the devastation that Sam’s death has caused me and Sam’s family. She was a loving daughter, sister, aunt and mother.

“I miss laughing with her, I miss the little moments people take for granted - there’s not a day that goes by when I don’t think about her. I’ve lost my little sister, I’ve lost my best friend. Nothing can bring Sam back.”

She explained how the loss of Sam has caused a “permanent emptiness that will never be repaired” and how “there is now an empty chair and a silence where her voice should be”.

Her statement to the court said: “Sam had dreams and ambitions for her future. Those dreams and ambitions have been taken away.

“Sam will never get to watch (her children) grow into adults, get married or have families of their own. My heart breaks for them because I understand the lasting impact of losing a parent as a child.”

31-year-old Jeans, who murdered her in a fit of rage, was sentenced to a life sentence in prison with a minimum term of 17 years before he can apply for parole. The 373 days he has already spent in custody has been deducted from this sentence.

As previously reported by The News, Jeans, of Margate Road, Southsea, killed Samantha at the Wadham Road home. He then left her body for her children to find the next day after being dropped home by their dad, Brenden Gillen.

He then went he went into hiding for four days at an address in Midway Road, Hilsea, where his friend Richard Palmer lived. Jeans spent the next few days drinking non-stop until Mr Palmer was informed Jeans was wanted by police and phoned 101.

Initially, Jeans entered a not guilty plea to murdering Samantha, but mid-trial, an application was submitted for the charges to be read out again, where he altered his plea to guilty.