Pair sentenced to life in prison for murder of Helen Bloomfield in Braintree
The two women initially denied the murder, yet they were found guilty following a trial
Last updated 16th Oct 2026
Two women have been jailed for a minimum of 19 years and 175 days after being found guilty of the murder of Helen Bloomfield in Braintree.
The 52-year-old was found dead in her home in Aetheric Road in April of 2024.
When she was discovered, she had sadly been dead for some time, with initial inquiries suggesting her death was not suspicious.
Further tests were requested as her cause of death was not clear.
Following Helen's death, Essex Police received information that indicated two women, Charlotte James and Amy Keely, were responsible.
A number of witnesses told officers that the pair had told them they had killed Helen.
Results of a forensic postmortem failed to identify a cause of death. However, it did confirm injuries that matched descriptions shared to officers.
Tests also identified Keely's DNA on pillow cases, a broken mirror, and a pair of scissors, including some items with blood on. DNA and fingerprints belonging to James were also found within the flat.
During interview the pair denied they had killed Helen.
Both were found guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court.
They were both charged with murder following, with a guilty verdict returned last week.
The family of Helen Bloomfield have described her as a "ray of sunshine".
Her niece Kathryn said:
“Helen was kind, caring and generous. She would have given her last penny to help someone else.
“When she walked into a room, she was a ray of sunshine. No matter what was happening, she had a way of lightening the moment through her humour, her laugh or her playful nature.
“Helen’s work as a carer also reflected who she was. She loved helping people, and her kindness and caring nature were part of both her work and her everyday life.
“Looking after others meant so much to her, whether they were people she cared for through her job or those she loved.
“My cousin Jasmine and I loved spending time with her throughout our childhood because she was like a big kid herself.
“We would sing along to Pink at the top of our voices, laughing and enjoying being together. Those are cherished memories of Helen at her happiest, full of humour and fun.
“What hurts so much is that she was beginning to find her way back to that person. We could see that side of Helen returning, and we thought there would be more moments like those ahead of us.
“Instead, she was taken from us, and we will never get to make those memories with her again.
“Helen tragically lost her husband Dave a few years ago. When he died, she lost her whole world. She was lonely, grieving and vulnerable, and she struggled with her mental health for a long time.
“What makes her murder especially heartbreaking is that she was finally turning a corner. She was taking hold of her life and becoming herself again. After feeling as though she might never be able to live again, she was beginning to do exactly that.
“Her kindness and vulnerability were used to prey on her at a time when she deserved care and the chance to rebuild her life.
“We have lost Helen, but we have also lost everything that could have been. All the plans, family occasions, laughter and any ordinary moments that should still have been possible have been taken away.”
Kathryn added that her aunt’s death has had a huge toll on her family: “My nan is 80 years old. No mother should have to lose her child, especially in these circumstances.
“I have watched her lose the joy she used to find in life. She stopped doing things she loved, the escape she had always found in gardening was no longer enough, she struggled to sleep and at times we didn't know how much more she could endure.
“This loss has aged her so much.
“For my aunt Debbie, Helen was both her sister and her best friend. They were each other’s constant in lives that had not always been kind to them.
“They would often stay round each other's flats and have lengthy chats several times a week.
“They had planned to tick off their bucket list together and were saving for a spa getaway.
“Those plans will now never happen and has left Debbie with such trauma and a huge change to her daily life that she has needed counselling to help her cope with losing Helen.”
Keely, 40, of no fixed address, and James, 29, of St Michaels Lane, Braintree, had been warned about their sentence.
Detective Chief Inspector Greg Wood, who led the investigation, previously said:
“My thoughts, and those of team, are with Helen’s family and friends.
“No conviction will bring her back but I hope this result will help them move forward and represents justice being served.
“Helen was brutally and cynically murdered by Amy Keely and Charlotte James for their own benefit.
“It is difficult to imagine how scared she must have been as two people she knew and may have trusted worked together to take her life.
“Keely and James now face a life sentence and significant time behind bars.”
He said following the sentencing:
“This sentencing brings an end to the court proceedings in this case but the pain for Helen’s friends and family do not go away. My thoughts, and those of my team, are with them today.
“I hope this sentence represents justice for them and helps them move forward.
“Amy Keely and Charlotte James carried out a despicable and cynical assault on Helen, killing her for their own benefit.
“They were people she knew and trusted. It is difficult to imagine the fear she must have experienced as they worked together to kill her.
“I am pleased that the work of my team has ensured they will both remain behind bars for a significant amount of time.”