A MAN has been convicted of killing his partner Marlene Doyle in a ‘vicious and savage attack’ at their Coventry home last year.
Police discovered Marlene with significant head injuries at a flat on Shakespeare Street on January 20, 2022 after a relative reported the 32-year-old had not been seen and had been uncontactable for several days.
Enquiries established she most likely died up to five days earlier.
Her partner Patryk Skupinski, who had also disappeared, was identified as the prime suspect in her murder and was arrested after police traced him to his mother’s address in the city.
During the investigation, police established Ms Doyle had been subjected to domestic violence over some time before her death.
Police found Skupinski had been in contact with two friends on the evening of January 15 through CCTV and phone records.
Michal Lada and Kinga Rybacka went to the flat in the early hours of the following day and, despite clearly knowing Skupinski had killed his girlfriend, then allowed him to hide away at theirs for three days.
The killer had also been in contact with his mother Hanna Skupinski shortly after Marlene’s death, who made enquiries to try and help him leave the country while keeping him hidden at her home for two days.
When officers went to her home to speak to him she initially refused to open the door.
Patryk Skupinski, aged 37, was convicted of murder following a trial at Coventry Crown Court.
Patryk Skupinski. s
Lada, 40, 27-year-old Rybacka and his mother Hanna Skupinski, 59, were found guilty of assisting an offender.
Kinga Rybacka – convicted of assisting an offender.
Michal Lada – convicted of assisting an offender. s
Hanna Skupinski. s
They will all be sentenced at a later date.
Marlene’s mother Gloria said: “Marlene’s life was taken by a partner with whom she shared a loving relationship but ultimately became toxic due to domestic violence issues including verbal and physical abuse towards her.
“Marlene’s story should act as a warning to all women and men who find themselves within such relationships, and who choose to remain and keep quiet in the hope that the situation will improve.
“Marlene paid with her life for not acting sooner, killed at the hands of a wicked man whom she loved and trusted.
“Marlene will be forever missed by her three young sons and her ever-loving family.”
