Every third day, in our #EveryThreeDays campaign, I write about a woman killed by a man. Previously in this campaign, which started on the 2nd of May, we have remembered 43 women, the last being Wendy Mann on the 31st of August.
Today we remember the mother of two, twenty-year-old Lauren Masters – who was murdered by her ex-partner and the father of her two children Paul Withers.
Like most of the murdered women I write about, Lauren’s partner was described as being “violent, jealous and controlling”. Lauren made it known to Paul Withers that she did not wish their relationship to continue in early August 2015 but tried to stay “on good terms” with him for the children’s sake.
However, on the 28th of August 2015, after a shopping trip to buy the children shoes, an argument broke out that resulted in Withers stabbing Lauren 23 times in the face and body using a kitchen knife. Withers then called the emergency services, and Lauren then told them she was dying, but even though help arrived quickly, they could not save her.
In the meantime, Withers had fled but was quickly caught, charged and subsequently found guilty at Hove Crown Court.
Lauren’s family in a statement said:
“Lauren was a loving and devoted mother to her two boys. She was a bright, happy, caring and friendly young woman, loved by her mother, her sister, grandparents and friends. Today’s verdict shows what an evil, violent, jealous and controlling person Paul Withers is. He took Lauren’s life in the most dreadful way and it is right that he spends his life in prison away from us. He has shown himself to be a contemptuous individual who has not once shown the slightest remorse for murdering Lauren. She did not deserve to suffer and die as she did. Paul Withers should have walked away when she asked him to”.
Lauren Masters
#EveryThreeDays
