"Tragic Revelation: Mum, 32, Strangled by Husband While Daughters Slept After Planning to Leave"

A MUM was strangled by her killer husband as their two daughters slept because she planned on leaving him, her dad claimed.

Paul Knight, 36, Knight, 32, in their home in Burton Latimer, , last June.

Paul Knight, 36, pleaded guilty to murdering his wife Isobella in June last yearCredit: SWNS Izzy, 32, was strangled to death in her home while her two daughters sleptCredit: SWNS Police outside the house in Donnington Road, Burton Latimer, NottinghamshireCredit: SWNS

He then ploughed his car into a in a botched suicide attempt.

Isobella’s devastated family have now spoken out about the horror and claimed Knight had been abusing her for years.

According to the family, the killer flew into a fit of rage after the mum-of-two revealed plans to end their relationship.

Knightin court this week, changing his plea at the last moment.

The killer previously admitted manslaughter but denied murdering his wife and a two-week trial was due to begin on Thursday morning.

Izzy’s heartbroken father, Tim Davies, 58, told the MailOnline : “She suffered from his controlling behaviour and verbal and psychological abuse, particularly over the last few years.

“She told him that she wanted to split, and they had come to an agreement on how to handle things for the benefit of the kids. Izzy made it clear that she’d had enough.”

He explained how the true extent of her abuse was only discovered by the family after her death.

Izzy had kept most of her husband’s vile behaviour to herself, other than confiding in a few friends.

Her sister Georgia said it was “a huge shock” to find out about the horrors unfolding behind closed doors.

“Izzy was my best friend, we spoke every day, but she never told me anything about the abusive behaviour she was suffering because she wanted to protect the family,” she said.

Georgia paid an emotional tribute to her sibling, hailing her as “one of the most caring, selfless and loving” people.

Izzy’s mother, Helena, and her partner David, are now the legal guardians of her daughters, aged six and three.

Tim vowed to honour his daughter’s memory and told how the whole family are pulling together to support the youngsters.

The heard Knight could be facing 15 years before being eligible for parole – a sentence Izzy’s family does not feel is long enough.

Knight is due to appear for sentencing at Northampton Crown Court on January 29.

But despite facing life behind bars, the family could still have to go through court to prevent him having an input in decisions regarding Izzy’s daughters.

This is because the Government are yet to bring in – legislation that automatically strips parental responsibility from a parent who has been convicted of killing their partner.

Jade’s law was passed through Parliament in April 2024 but has not come into force due to a conflict between the Ministry of Justice and family courts.

In the meantime, a GoFundMe has been set up for Izzy’s children, which has already raised more than £16,000.

This comes after Northampton Crown heard Knight strangled his church-going wife after he became “fuelled by jealousy”.

The following morning, Knight asked his mum to look after their two children – claiming he and Izzy were unwell.

He then made several botched suicide attempts before crashing his car into a McDonald’s car park nearby.

who arrived at the takeaway restaurant became suspicious about his behaviour and searched his home where they found Izzy’s body.

A post-mortem found the mum-of-two died as a result of pressure being applied to her neck.

In a moving tribute, her mum Helena said: “She was a loving mother, a treasured daughter, a best friend in sister form, a talented artist, and a great friend.

“She laughed, she cried, she worked tirelessly to provide for her children, she had dreams, and she loved hard.

She was such a lovely woman, and I already miss her so much. She will never ever be forgotten, and we will make sure her girls grow up knowing what an incredible person she was.”

Tim said his “wonderful” daughter “just shone”.

He added: “She encouraged her children to find their talents, and now as her family we will keep her memory alive for them.

“We will stand side by side and say to them ‘this is your mum, and she was brilliant and wonderful, and she loved you so much’, just the way I have always loved her.”

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Torie Harrison from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit Major Team, said: “This is a tragic case of violence against a woman who had everything to live for and I am pleased Paul Knight has finally decided to tell the truth and admit to his wife’s murder.

“It is clear to see through the words written by her parents that Izzy was an incredible woman with so many positive qualities and so many reasons to live.

“Her life was cut short by a man fuelled by thoughts only for himself. He has left two daughters without a mother and there is no sentence that could ever make up for that.

“I am glad that Izzy’s family do not now have to go through further pain in the form of a trial and my thoughts remain with them at what continues to be a very difficult time.”

Knight was told he can expect a life sentence when he next appears in courtCredit: SWNS