Husband Convicted of Brutal Murder After Stabbing Wife 78 Times
A man described as “violent” and “obsessed with money” has been found guilty of murdering his wife, stabbing her a staggering 78 times. Robert Alexander, 66, was convicted today at Stafford Crown Court of the murder of his 60-year-old wife, Christina Alexander, a nurse. The jury rejected Alexander’s claims of self-defence, concluding that his actions were motivated by a desire to control his wife and prevent her from leaving him.
A Relationship Marked by Control and Violence
The couple met online and married in 2019. From early in their relationship, reports indicate that Alexander displayed controlling and violent behavior towards Ms. Alexander, largely driven by his fixation on financial matters. In September 2020, police were called after Alexander put Ms. Alexander in a chokehold. Upon his arrest, his primary concern was reportedly whether she knew his bank card PIN numbers, leading to a prior conviction for battery.
In June 2021, Ms. Alexander had informed the police that she lived in fear of constant violence. Despite being employed, she remained financially dependent on her husband and feared homelessness if she were to leave the relationship. By 2025, Ms. Alexander had begun taking steps towards independence, including seeking legal counsel and making financial arrangements. Tragically, dashcam footage from her car captured her expressing her fears to her sister, stating, “I’ll probably be dead before then.”
Manipulation and Escalation
In the weeks preceding the murder, Alexander inflicted harm upon himself on two separate occasions. Psychiatric assessments later concluded these incidents were likely attempts to manipulate or control Ms. Alexander. Days after being released from hospital following the second self-harm incident, Alexander committed the murder at their home in the early hours of June 23, 2025.
A forensic pathologist detailed that Ms. Alexander sustained a minimum of 78 stab wounds, with injuries to her face, neck, torso, arms, and legs, alongside numerous other cuts.
Prosecution Details and Conclusion
Narmina Rafiq from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) described the prosecution as complex, involving extensive psychiatric evidence and conflicting expert opinions on Robert Alexander’s mental state. “Alexander told different stories to different people and changed his version of events when it suited him,” Rafiq stated. “The jury carefully considered all of the evidence and rejected his claims of self-defence and diminished responsibility.”
The CPS was able to demonstrate that Alexander’s actions were driven by a need for control, both over his wife and over finances, and that his self-harm incidents were part of this manipulative pattern rather than stemming from a severe mental disorder.
“Our thoughts remain with the family and loved ones of Christina Alexander,” Rafiq added. “She was a nurse who spent her life caring for others, and her loss is deeply felt. We hope this outcome provides some measure of justice for her family, particularly her siblings who supported the prosecution throughout.”
The case highlights how controlling and abusive behavior can escalate. Even when complex mental health evidence is presented, individuals will be held accountable if the evidence supports it.
The CPS collaborated closely with Warwickshire Police to build a comprehensive picture of a controlling and deteriorating relationship, detailing Alexander’s actions before and immediately after the murder. In messages to Ms. Alexander, he had misrepresented his location, falsely claiming to be in hospital when he was en route home. Dashcam footage showed her returning to the house, unaware of his presence.
On the day of the murder, after the assault, Alexander made a calm 999 call, informing police he had killed his wife and referencing issues of money and control. He then changed his clothes, disposed of the bins, and remained at the property with his dogs. Upon the arrival of law enforcement, he again raised the subject of money and inheritance. He initially confessed to the murder but later altered his account.
During the trial, Alexander claimed Ms. Alexander had initiated the confrontation by grabbing a knife, asserting he acted in self-defence. He also argued that depression and autism lessened his culpability. However, medical experts found no evidence of a mental abnormality, determining he was suffering from no more than mild depression.
Robert Alexander is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date.
