Paul Knight, 36, pleaded guilty to killing his wife, Isobella “Izzy” Knight, at their Burton Latimer home on June 13, 2025, while their two daughters slept upstairs. Knight was reportedly under the influence of a significant amount of cocaine and later attempted suicide, crashing his car — which led police to search the house and find Izzy’s body. He was jailed for life on Jan. 29, 2026, with a minimum term of 17 years. Family and investigators described the case as a tragic example of domestic violence exacerbated by substance misuse.
Man Sentenced To Life After Killing Wife In Cocaine-Fuelled Rage As Children Slept Upstairs
Isobella KnightIsobella Knight/Facebook
Paul Knight, 36, has been sentenced to life imprisonment after admitting he killed his wife, Isobella “Izzy” Knight, at the couple’s home in Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire, on June 13, 2025. The couple’s two young daughters were asleep upstairs when the attack occurred.
What Happened
Court and police records say Knight strangled his wife during what prosecutors described as an uncontrollable outburst while he was under the influence of a significant amount of cocaine. After the assault, Knight is reported to have attempted to take his own life at the property, then left in a vehicle and crashed in a McDonald’s car park.
Officers who attended the collision found his behaviour unusual and searched the family home, where they discovered Izzy’s body. Police also reported finding a handwritten note in which Knight allegedly wrote that he had killed both himself and Izzy and blamed his actions on a cocaine addiction.
Paul KnightNorthampton Police
“You lost your temper and, in a fit of rage, killed Isobella Knight,” Judge Adrienne Lucking told Knight during sentencing.
Sentence
Knight pleaded guilty at Northampton Crown Court on Jan. 8, 2026. On Jan. 29 he was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum custodial term of 17 years before he can be considered for release.
Tributes And Investigation
Izzy’s mother, Helena, paid tribute to her daughter, describing her as a loving mother, a treasured daughter, a talented artist and a devoted friend who worked tirelessly for her children. Detective Chief Inspector Torie Harrison of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit Major Crime Team called the case “an absolutely tragic case of violence against a woman who had so many good things ahead of her.”
The case has drawn attention locally and underscores the intersection of substance misuse and domestic violence. Police and prosecutors said no sentence can remove the loss suffered by Izzy’s family and children.
Note: This report is based on court records and a police press release issued by Northamptonshire police.
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