A woman’s tragic death has shocked the community of Leeds, where Sam Varley’s body was discovered covered in bite marks, with injuries consistent with being struck by a hammer.
The 44-year-old woman was found lying face down on her bed at the home she shared with her partner, Warren Spence, on Brown Hill Terrace.
The discovery came after a concerned relative called the police on February 12, 2024, reporting they hadn’t seen Varley for several days.
Investigation Unfolds: Evidence Points to Murder
Upon arrival, officers found evidence of drug use in the home before discovering Varley’s lifeless body.
A post-mortem revealed several disturbing injuries, including human bite marks on her wrist and multiple rib fractures, with injuries matching hammer blows.
Authorities also found a hammer with traces of Sam’s DNA, and the DNA of her partner, Spence, was found on hair clumps recovered from the scene.
The investigation quickly pointed to Spence as the primary suspect.
He was not at the scene when officers arrived and had spent time with a friend, Luke O’Connor, before traveling to Scarborough, where he was eventually arrested.
Spence, 54, denied the charges, providing a false name to officers and offering no comment during police interviews.
Details of the Injuries and Autopsy Report
Dr. Christopher Johnson, a forensic pathologist, conducted a post-mortem examination on Varley’s body and identified several injuries.
These included bruising to her head, abrasions from hammer blows, and evidence of 25 fractured ribs.
Tragically, Sam had suffered injuries to her limbs, and bite marks were found on her right wrist, forearm, and left shin.
The pathologist also noted signs of substance misuse, with traces of morphine, cocaine, and alcohol found in her system.
While these substances may have contributed to her death, the pathologist emphasized that the injuries to her chest played a central role.
Relationship Dynamics and Last Seen Moments
The court also heard from Luke O’Connor, a friend who knew both Sam and Warren Spence.
O’Connor recalled hearing arguing between the couple before Sam’s death.
He described the shouting as coming from either Sam’s flat or the one above hers, but he wasn’t sure.
O’Connor also shared that Spence had appeared with cuts and scratches on his face, and he noticed that one of his toes was swollen.
When Spence borrowed shoes from O’Connor, they were later found to have blood stains that matched Sam’s DNA.
Murder Trial Continues: A Community in Shock
The trial continues, and while the prosecution anticipates Spence will claim he was not present when Sam was attacked, the evidence strongly points to his involvement.
This tragic case has left the local community shaken as they await justice for Sam Varley.
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