In a shocking case out of Canterbury, Kent, a woman has been convicted of murdering her husband and hiding his body in their backyard. Maureen Rickards, 50, was found guilty at Maidstone Crown Court on March 13 for the brutal killing of her husband, Jeremy Rickards, 65, whose body was discovered in a duffle bag under grass cuttings in June 2024.
Jeremy had been missing for weeks before his remains were found. According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Maureen initially stored his body in a cupboard in her bedroom before transferring it to the backyard. Authorities found evidence of extensive domestic abuse, with Jeremy having suffered previous strangulation and broken ribs.
Following his disappearance, Maureen used his bank cards for shopping and cleaning supplies. She also attempted to mislead their daughter by sending messages from Jeremy’s phone, claiming he had traveled to Saudi Arabia and later suggesting he planned to take his own life. Concerned, their daughter reported him missing, prompting a police investigation.
Neighbors and tenants in their shared building provided crucial evidence. One tenant reported hearing something heavy being dragged downstairs at night, while a neighbor recalled noticing a strong odor coming from the garden. Forensic evidence, including Maureen’s DNA on the bin bags used to wrap Jeremy’s body, helped secure her conviction.
James Fisher from CPS South East described Maureen as a “callous abuser” who subjected Jeremy to a campaign of violence before killing him. The court also heard an audio recording in which Maureen threatened to harm or kill her husband, further proving her intent.
Despite her repeated lies and attempts to cover up the crime, justice has now been served. Maureen Rickards is set to be sentenced on April 9. Jeremy’s family and friends continue to mourn his tragic death, with authorities expressing their condolences.
