Man found guilty of murdering girlfriend by suffocation with tape
A 49-year-old man has been convicted of murdering his girlfriend in a brutal attack in which he suffocated her by wrapping tape around her face.
Norbert Maiksner was found guilty following a trial at Portsmouth Crown Court of killing his partner, Frances Obiefuleh, 45, at their home in Havant, Hampshire. He was also convicted of child neglect.
The court heard that Maiksner, who is Polish, was discovered walking along the hard shoulder of the M40 motorway near High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, on the morning of April 17, 2025.
Prosecutor Paul Cavin KC said the defendant approached a Highways Officer and admitted to killing his girlfriend, urging them to contact police.
A post-mortem examination revealed that Ms Obiefuleh died from smothering, with additional injuries caused by compression of her neck and chest.
The court was told Maiksner had scratches on his chest and back, which prosecutors said were likely inflicted by Ms Obiefuleh as she fought for her life.
“The likely and frankly terrible conclusion is that they were inflicted by Frances with her fingers and fingernails during the attack by the defendant in her last moments as she struggled to stay alive,” Mr Cavin said.
According to a spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary, Maiksner did not attend his trial, which proceeded in his absence. During proceedings, jurors heard that he had previously told officers the killing felt like “a dream” and that he wanted to wake up.
In a statement released through police, Ms Obiefuleh’s family paid tribute to her, describing her as “kind, intelligent, and resourceful” and “a caring and deeply loving mother, sister, aunt, and friend to many.”
They added: “Someone we love has been cruelly taken from us, and it has changed our lives forever."
"We have lost a truly beautiful soul. Her bright light has been cruelly dimmed, and we are left shaken, heartbroken, and still trying to process the grief and shock of losing Frances.”