Image credit: SWNS:South West News Service
What Happened to Natalie Hemming?
Natalie Hemming, a loving mother of three, was brutally beaten to death by her partner, Paul Hemming, in their Milton Keynes home in 2016. This heartbreaking story is now the focus of the Channel 4 documentary series Catching a Killer: The Search for Natalie Hemming.
Natalie and Paul had been in a relationship since 2007, and she had already had a daughter from a previous marriage when they first met. Over the years, they had two more children together. Sadly, their relationship was marred by a decade of abuse.
According to Natalie’s daughter Kirstie, “She was a bubbly person. She liked clothes and shopping, and she would take me. She was friendly. She was a really nice person.” However, behind closed doors, a different reality unfolded—a turbulent and abusive environment that would ultimately lead to Natalie’s tragic end.
After the brutal attack, Paul Hemming wrapped Natalie’s body in a blanket and buried her in a wooded area located around 30 miles from their home. In a chilling twist, Natalie’s six-year-old son witnessed the murder through a gap in the door. To further cover up his crime, Paul took the children to Whipsnade Zoo for a day out, claiming their mother had left while they were sleeping.
The Murder and Its Aftermath
Natalie’s daughter Kirstie was left devastated, awakening one morning to find her mother had vanished. She recalls the challenges of growing up in an abusive home, where even the simplest mistakes could lead to punishment. Kirstie witnessed her mother being abused but was too afraid to intervene.
Natalie’s daughter describes her mother as a vibrant and caring person. “We are really alike. We looked alike as well. She taught me makeup,” Kirstie reminisces. However, she also admits struggling with her emotions toward her mother’s killer, saying, “I think I feel a bit numb towards him because most of my childhood, I trusted him, and the next thing I know he’s killed my mum, and I don’t really understand why he would do that.”
Natalie’s disappearance lasted three long weeks until her naked body was discovered in a woodland ditch, miles away from their home. It was a twisted and devastating end to a life that was filled with love, pain, and unfulfilled dreams.
The Capture and Sentencing of Paul Hemming
Paul Hemming, who had worked as a carpet salesman, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years for the murder of Natalie. Although he admitted to manslaughter during his trial, he denied the charge of murder.
During the trial, Hemming faced Natalie’s grieving family, callously mouthing the words, “I enjoyed every minute” as he was placed behind bars. Judge Richard Foster, addressing Hemming, said, “Natalie Hemming knew you were overbearing, controlling, jealous, and on occasions violent. The manner in which you have conducted yourself since the murder indicates a complete lack of remorse.”
Remembering Natalie Hemming
The tragic story of Natalie Hemming serves as a somber reminder of the realities of domestic abuse and the devastating impact it can have on families. It is a story of escape, love, and resilience, but ultimately, a story that ends in unspeakable tragedy.
To learn more about Natalie Hemming’s story, watch the Channel 4 documentary series Catching a Killer: The Search for Natalie Hemming.
To read the original article, visit here.
This article is brought to you by F5 Magazine F5mag.com