A haunting and chilling video has emerged from the wedding of a pilot who later murdered his wife. Robert Brown bludgeoned Joanna Simpson to death, striking her over the head 14 times with a claw hammer. The horrifying attack took place on Halloween in 2010 at their family home in Ascot, Berks, while their two children played nearby. The video, which has never been seen before, shows Brown boasting about being choosy and calling Joanna “perfect” on their wedding day.
Image source: PA
Image source: INS News Group
Image source: ITV
In the shocking footage, Brown expresses gratitude to his parents for witnessing his wedding day and states, “I can’t help being choosy. You have to go for what’s perfect.” However, behind closed doors, their relationship was violent. Joanna experienced sustained domestic abuse, including coercive control, isolation, and intimidation.
Joanna’s body was discovered five days later, buried in a pre-dug grave. Brown, who worked as a British Airways pilot, meticulously planned Joanna’s murder and executed his plans just one week before their divorce was finalized. When Joanna’s family noticed her disappearance, Brown refused to cooperate with the missing persons investigation. Later, he handed himself over to the authorities, confessing to the killing and providing information about the location of Joanna’s body.
Image source: ITV
In a documentary titled “The British Airways Killer,” Joanna’s friend, Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, recalls how Joanna once told her that Brown held a knife to her chest. Hetti remembers Joanna describing Brown’s eyes turning dark, almost black, before he threatened her. Despite Joanna’s fears for their children’s safety, Brown showed no concern for their well-being. Brown denied ever threatening Joanna with a knife.
Brown was sentenced to 26 years in prison, with eligibility for release after serving half of his sentence. However, Justice Secretary Alex Chalk used his powers to detain Brown, ensuring he remains behind bars. A Judicial Review is currently underway to determine if proper policy was followed in keeping Brown incarcerated. The case has gained significant attention, with 220 Members of Parliament expressing their concerns to Mr. Chalk.
Tonight, ITV will air “The British Airways Killer,” which follows Joanna’s family and friends as they campaign to keep Brown in prison.
Source: F5 Magazine