Woman guilty of murder after fatally stabbing husband

A woman has been found guilty of murder after stabbing her husband of 15 years in the neck.

Henri Kekkonen died on 9 May after being attacked by Christine Kekkonen at the property they both shared on Dunford Terrace in Baltonsborough, Somerset.

The court heard that Kekkonen texted her mother immediately after the incident pleading with her to send police as she had "done something awful".

The 36-year-old claimed she did not mean to kill Henri, but a jury at Bristol Crown Court found her guilty of murder on Friday. She will be sentenced on 28 March.

Avon and Somerset Police say Henri was attacked at some point between 16:00 BST and 16:20 BST.

At 16:21 BST Kekkonen sent a text message to her mum saying: "Mum, please get the police here now. Please. I’ve done something awful”.

Her father then called for an ambulance, and police were informed.

Within 15 minutes, emergency services were at their home, but despite their efforts, Henri died at the scene.

Heavy blood staining was found on the couple’s bed at their bungalow, and police subsequently recovered a knife from the floor on the left-hand side of the bed.

Kekkonen was arrested on suspicion of murder and later charged by detectives from Avon and Somerset Police's Major Crime Investigation Team.

Senior investigating officer Det Supt Lorett Spierenburg said: "Henri was a loving husband who, aged 41, had so much more life to live. Those opportunities were cruelly taken from him.

"Christine Kekkonen is clearly a vulnerable woman, but her actions that afternoon have cut short the life of a man who completely doted on her.

"I am pleased for Henri's family that the woman responsible for his death has today been convicted of his murder and my thoughts remain with them."

Kekkonen will be sentenced on 28 March.

Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.