Every third day, in our #EveryThreeDays campaign, I write about a woman killed by a man. Previously in this campaign, which started on May 2nd 2021, I have remembered 118 women, the last being Sarah Pitkin.
Today I remember Marian Smith.
The Lancashire Telegraph reported on July 9th 2015.
A pensioner accused of stabbing his wife to death has died in hospital.
John Smith, 88, was arrested and charged earlier this year after his partner Marian, 74, was found dead with multiple stab wounds at their home in Blackburn.
Mr Smith died in hospital on Tuesday after a short illness.
Yesterday neighbours said they were still recovering from the shock of the suspected murder and said the community was only just starting to heal from the incident. Mr Smith, who is believed to have been initially from County Londonderry in Northern Ireland and had one child from a previous marriage, was taken into custody before being transported to Royal Preston Hospital. At the time the police did not disclose the reason for his hospital admission but have now confirmed that he died of natural causes.
Hamida Sumra, who has lived in Aberdare Close for 15 years, said: “Nobody saw this coming as they kept themselves to themselves and seemed like a nice couple. They were never violent or loud in public and would smile at you when you walked past them in the street. What happened in April was such a shock, and people are still getting over it. John had a car accident a number of years ago, which seemed to affect his mobility, and had to use a wheelchair when he came back from the hospital. They stayed in the flat most of the time and you never know what goes on behind closed doors. Certainly, they seemed like nice.
Marian Smith
#EveryThreeDays
