“I’ve Stabbed My Mate”: Northwich Killer Jailed for Life
Matthew Higgins sentenced after drunken row ends in the fatal stabbing of close friend David Eaton
Last updated 15th Apr 2025
A man who fatally stabbed his friend during a drunken gathering at his home in Northwich has been sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 18 years.
Matthew Higgins, 36, of Brook Lane, Northwich, was found guilty of murdering 37-year-old David Eaton following a trial at Chester Crown Court on 9 April 2025.
He had previously admitted to a separate charge of assaulting an emergency worker.
The incident occurred on the afternoon of 28 September 2024, when emergency services were called to Higgins' address after reports of a stabbing. Higgins, David Eaton, and a 41-year-old woman had been drinking together when the attack took place.
Neighbours reported hearing a woman screaming before Higgins, with blood on his hands, approached them in the street and confessed: “I’ve stabbed my mate.”
Police and paramedics found Eaton inside the property, where Higgins was attempting to give first aid. He claimed Eaton had "fallen on the knife," but despite the efforts of first responders, Eaton was pronounced dead shortly after 4pm. A post-mortem revealed he had sustained two stab wounds to the heart.
Higgins and the woman were arrested at the scene. While the woman was later released with no further action, Higgins became aggressive in custody and headbutted a police officer. He was eventually charged with murder and assaulting an emergency worker on 30 September 2024.
Detective Inspector Eleanor Atkinson, who led the investigation, said: “The afternoon that David was killed, Higgins chose to pick up a knife and let his anger get the better of him – that decision had devastating consequences.
"Despite knowing what he had done, he denied the charge of murder and forced David’s loved ones to sit through a two-and-a-half week trial. But the jury saw through his lies and convicted him of murder.”
David Eaton’s family released a statement following the verdict:
“Regardless of the verdict, what happened has changed our lives forever. We have lost a son, brother, dad and nephew, and nothing can change the devastation caused to our family.”
Higgins was sentenced today, 15 April 2025, to life in prison with a minimum term of 18 years for murder.