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A “cold and calculated” killer sent Christmas cards on behalf of his landlady to cover up the fact he had murdered and dismembered her body before stashing her remains in a storage unit.
Scott Paterson, 45, faces life in prison after pleading guilty to the murder of Annette Smith at Luton Crown Court.
Paterson admitted killing her in the home they shared in the village of Fairfield in Bedfordshire in November last year before leaving her remains just three miles away in a storage unit.
He then hacked into her email account and sent Christmas messages and Moonpig cards to convince her family and friends she was still alive.
When he was questioned by detectives on her disapperance, he claimed she had left their home in a car with an unknown woman, sparking a police appeal.
Three months then passed before concerns were raised by relatives and an investigation was launched by the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit.
Detectives found her passport and clothing were still at the home along with her laptop which had sent the Christmas messages.
When he was arrested, Paterson made a full admission to killing her and led police to the storage unit where her dismembered body was hidden.
Detective Chief Inspector Katie Dounias who led the investigation said: “Annette’s death is tragic, and deeply saddening. Our thoughts remain with her loved ones.
“Paterson’s actions to conceal his horrific crime and later mislead Annette’s family and friends with a false sense of assurance, reveals the nature of a very cold and calculated individual who has no place in our community.
“Uncovering Annette’s death has required the finest level of police work, and I would like to commend the Major Crime Unit and supporting teams on their meticulous efforts over the last five months. Our hope is that this swift progression towards justice, provides some level of comfort to those affected by Annette’s death.”
Paterson will be sentenced next month.
