Man Sentenced to Life for Murder: Suffocated Girlfriend

Norbert Maiksner, 49, was found by officers wandering alone on the hard shoulder of the M40 in the early morning of April 17 last year. Hours before, he had killed his girlfriend, 45-year-old Frances Obiefuleh, at their home in Havant, Hampshire. Maiksner told the officer to call the police because he had killed his girlfriend.

The man was convicted following a trial at Portsmouth Crown Court.

Prosecutor Paul Cavin KC described Ms. Obiefuleh’s final moments as she fought for her life, DNA analysis revealed the victim had tried to defend herself, but she was overpowered by Maiksner. A post-mortem examination revealed that Ms. Obiefuleh died of smothering with injuries caused by compression of the neck and chest. Cavin also noted that the defendant had scratches to his chest and back, suggesting a struggle.

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said that Maiksner had not attended the trial, which went ahead in his absence. During his trial, the court heard that Maiksner had told officers that he had killed Frances and that it was all a dream that he wanted to wake up from. During police interviews, Maiksner refused to answer questions about his partner’s death – but he had previously admitted what he had done to a Highways officer.

Ms. Obiefuleh had previously started talking to someone whom she met on a dating app. She had confided in him that Maiksner was sometimes verbally abusive, which, unlike physical violence, leaves no visible injuries – but can intimidate and psychologically harm victims over time.

DS Heather Kenwright stated: 'I am glad to see Maiksner face a life behind bars for committing the most heinous and evil of acts, it is what he deserves for taking the life of an innocent woman.' Maiksner was jailed for life to serve a minimum of 24 years. Ms. Obiefuleh’s family released a statement through the police, describing her as 'kind, intelligent, and resourceful – a caring and deeply loving mother, sister, aunt, and friend to many.' The family expressed that her loss had changed their lives forever.