On June 20, 2023, 31-year-old Sarah Henshaw had ended her relationship with Darren Hall. Later that evening he let himself into her home in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, using an old key, which led to an intense argument. That day was the last day she was seen alive.
Sarah Henshaw and Darren Hall first met in 2011. They split up for the first time in 2017 before getting back together in 2022. Sarah finally ended the relationship in June 2023.
Sarah’s mum Lorainne said:
“Sarah finished with him once, but he wormed his way back into her life when she was vulnerable and grieving for her grandad. I begged her to leave him, but it was hard for her. He wouldn’t leave her alone.”
On June 23, 2023, after three days of no contact from Sarah, police launched a murder investigation and arrested Darren Hall. He claimed he had no idea where Sarah was. He had told friends that on the evening of June 20, she had walked out the house to go and see a friend after their argument. He failed to report her missing when she didn’t return home.
Phone records showed that Hall had travelled north on the M1 in the early hours of June 21, stopping at a remote lay-by on the A617 for nine minutes.
On June 25, a search of the lay-by led to the discovery of Sarah’s body in a nearby woodland.
Hall tried to convince investigators that Sarah had fallen down the stairs accidently during their argument and he had panicked and moved her body to the lay-by.
Though a clear cause of death could not be found, evidence suggests Sarah suffered bruising to her neck “about the width of a dressing-gown cord.”
After Sarah’s death, Hall has sent texts from her phone to friends in attempts to show she was still alive. He later admitted to disposing of her phone, dressing gown and slippers.
At his trail, after deliberating for just 4 hours, the jury found Hall guilty of murder. He was sentenced to life with a minimum of 17 years.
Mr Justice Goss said:
“Sarah Henshaw was 31 years of age. She was a loud, outgoing and fun loving person with an infectious laugh.
“The harm you have done and the suffering you have caused can never be undone by any sentence of this court.
“Having heard all the evidence, I am satisfied that there were earlier occasions in your relationship where you were violent to Sarah Henshaw and bruised her.
“Whatever arose that caused you to be violent in the bedroom, you attacked her and, although it could not be established by pathological evidence, you almost certainly strangled her.”
Sarah’s mother Lorainne Henshaw said:
“All Sarah wanted was stability and to settle down with a partner who loved her.
“To me, he (Darren Hall) is a monster who committed the most evil crime a person can do.”
DI Maria Please said:
“Darren Hall is a manipulative, deceiving and dangerous individual.
“Only two people know what exactly happened that night. Sarah cannot tell us, and Hall refuses to give a factual account of the events.
“What we can be sure of is that Sarah’s life ended at his hand, that he dumped her body in the hope that she would never be found and then fabricated a story that Sarah had simply left.
“… I hope that this verdict provided them with the justice they, and Sarah, deserve.”
Sources:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-67760919
https://www.crimeandinvestigation.co.uk/articles/murdered-her-ex-sarah-henshaw
https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/local-news/sarah-henshaws-cause-death-not-8970823
