Helen Bailey's killer motivated by money, court hears

Children’s author Helen Bailey was murdered by her partner, who was motivated by money, a court has heard.

A jury at St Albans Crown Court heard today (10th January) that Bailey, 51, was killed “probably by suffocation” by Ian Stewart, 56, after being fed sleeping pills in the weeks prior to her death, the Guardian has reported. 

Stuart Trimmer QC, for the prosecution, said Stewart killed Bailey and her dog Boris on 11th April 2016, then dumped their bodies in the grounds of their home in Hertfordshire.

Bailey, the author behind the Electra Brown series (Hodder Children’s Books), was reported missing in April last year. Stewart was arrested on suspicion of murder in July.

The court also heard that Bailey had made financial arrangements that Stewart would receive the house if she died before they got married, and that Stewart raided her bank account on the day of the murder, increasing a monthly standing order to their joint account from £600 to £4,000.

Stewart has pleaded not guilty to murder, perverting the course of justice by reporting his partner as missing while hiding her body, and preventing a lawful burial.

The trial continues.