An unrepentant husband, Russell Marsh, aged 29, will spend a minimum of 25 years incarcerated after he m*rdered his estranged wife, Jade Ward, 27, in her north Wales home. The court learned that Ms. Ward had been rebuilding her life after separating from Marsh.
Following a gruesome assault, Marsh concealed the body of the mother of four under a stack of clothing in her Shotton residence. Judge Rhys Rowlands strongly condemned Marsh’s merciless and savage act, driven by his estranged wife’s desire to move forward. In response to his conviction for m*rder by a jury last week, Marsh received a life sentence, met with applause from Ms. Ward’s courageous family.
During the sentencing, Judge Rowlands remarked, “You surreptitiously ascended the stairs to where the victim was, all the while informing your son that their mother had kissed another man. Equipped with a knife from the kitchen, you harbored the intention to inflict suffering upon Ms. Ward. She would have awoken in the darkness to find you in her bedroom.”
The court was informed that on the fateful night of the m*rder on August 26 of the previous year, Marsh initially claimed to his employers that he needed to leave work early due to his brother’s su*cide attempt. However, surveillance from CCTV, ANPR cameras, and phone masts revealed his actual destination was his former family home. Upon arriving there, Marsh proceeded to st*b and strangle Ms. Ward before admitting to the police that he had committed a dreadful act.
Officers forcibly entered the premises and uncovered the bedroom door, which had been secured using a dressing gown cord. Ms. Ward, clad in bloodstained pajamas, was discovered beneath a mound of clothing. A forensic examination revealed multiple wounds, spanning her body, including her face and arms, and the presence of grip mark bruises. Additionally, there were signs of “defensive” wounds on her hands, indicative of her resolute efforts to fend off her assailant.
Before the tragic event, Ms. Ward and Marsh had endured three previous separations, but they ultimately parted ways for good in the summer of 2021, concluding a nine-year relationship. Following her untimely passing, she was affectionately remembered as a “charming, lively, and well-liked woman” in heartfelt tributes.
During the court proceedings, Ms. Ward’s brother, Kyle Robinson, shared a statement that had been recorded after the guilty verdict was reached.
In reference to his sister, Mr. Robinson expressed that Ms. Ward would forever remain his cherished little sister, emphasizing that “the community is mourning her absence.” He went on to reflect that “Jade always saw the goodness in people,” and tragically, it was this trait that ultimately led to her demise.
Describing the m*rder as “senseless,” Mr. Robinson continued, saying, “We yearn to hear her voice, witness her active presence on social media—anything that would make this dreadful nightmare feel less real. A mother should not depart before raising her children. He believed he possessed the right, a misplaced entitlement, to take her away from this world.”
During his sentencing statement, Judge Rowlands remarked, “Motivated by a deep sense of perceived injustice, you made your way to Chevrons Road in Shotton. You patiently bided your time until the evening’s social gathering had concluded. On that night, Ms. Ward was filled with happiness and hope for the future. In the early hours, you clandestinely approached the residence and gained entry using the key still in your possession.”
The judge continued, stating, “You proceeded to ascend the stairs, all while informing your son that their mother had shared a k*ss with another man. Prior to this, you had armed yourself with a kitchen knife. Your intent was to inflict suffering upon Ms. Ward. In the darkness, she would have awakened to find you in her bedroom.”
Following the sentencing, Ms. Marsh’s family honored her memory with the following statement: “Jade was a compassionate and loving daughter, deeply cherished by all. She was the radiant center of our lives, the unifying force that bound us together. Additionally, she was a devoted mother who would go to great lengths for her children, a beloved friend, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, and granddaughter.”
They continued, “Jade had her entire life ahead of her, and her passing has left an irreplaceable void in all of our hearts. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to all of Jade’s friends and colleagues for their support, as well as to North Wales Police for their diligent investigation leading to today’s conviction. We kindly request that our privacy be respected, allowing us to grieve in peace as a family and come to terms with this heart-wrenching loss.”
Detective Inspector Myfanwy Kirkwood, Deputy Senior Investigating Officer, said that , “The inexplicable tragedy of Jade’s young life being brutally cut short in such heart-wrenching circumstances is difficult to fathom. Jade held a special place in the hearts of her family and friends, and I acknowledge that no words or verdict can ever bring this young woman back. However, I hope that today’s verdict can provide a small measure of solace to Jade’s grieving family. Their unwavering strength and courage have been remarkable, and I express my gratitude for their support in assisting my investigative team.”
She went on to recount, “On Wednesday, August 25, 2021, Jade spent precious moments with her four children, her friends, and her family, relishing a joyful afternoon and evening. She was described as content and eagerly anticipating her future. Russell Marsh extinguished that future through his dreadful act, and only he knows the motivations behind his actions, which have left their four children without a mother.”
“As an organization, North Wales Police is unwavering in its commitment to proactively identifying individuals who pose the highest risk to the safety of women and girls. We actively manage these individuals to prevent or reduce their harmful actions,” Detective Inspector Kirkwood asserted. “Violent individuals who inflict harm upon women and girls should have no doubt that we are resolutely pursuing them.”