Eastbourne man jailed for life for murdering ‘very special’ campaigning wife

A man has been jailed for life – for a minimum of 26 years – for murdering his estranged wife to get his hands on the couple’s £1m fortune.

Raymond Hoadley, 62, attacked Jackie, 58, in her bed as their severely disabled daughter slept in the next room at the family home in Eastbourne.

Jailing him, Judge Jeremy Gold QC told Hoadley he had repeatedly stabbed his wife for the money.

“Having committed this dreadful murder, you returned home and carried on life as normal.

“You had carefully planned the explanation that you would give to the police when suspicion fell upon you, as it inevitably would, and you spun a web of lies when interviewed in an attempt to avoid liability for your actions.”

The judge said there was clear evidence during the trial of Hoadley’s obsession with money.

“Just a few days before you killed Jackie, you persuaded her to sign a document which ensured that you would benefit financially to a very significant extent in the event of her death,” the judge said.

A jury of 11 took an hour to reach their unanimous verdict on January 22.

Jackie Hoadley was a well-respected disability rights campaigner. The couple had adopted two disabled children.

Mrs Hoadley’s sister, Sarah Jones, said her campaigning sister made a real difference in the world and would be an enormous loss.

Mrs Jones said, “July 5, 2020 changed my life and world in a brutal and horrific way.

“When I first heard the news, I thought there had been an accident.

“As the police investigation progressed, I became acutely aware of the premeditation involved.

“Killing for financial gain is abhorrent in any circumstances.”

Mrs Jones said she has been comforted by many messages from people her sister helped.

“So many people have come former with stories of how she inspired them, especially people with disabled children.

“She achieved so much for their cause. It will be an enormous loss.”

Mr Hoadley had destroyed the future for his adopted children, Mrs Jones said.

“They had difficult start to their lives, destroyed by their father. I know they loved them both.

“My sister was an incredibly strong woman who gave so much.

“I want to remember her for how she lived and not how she died.

“I will never forgive but I do not want to live my life in anger preventing us from ensuring the best for the children.”

The judge added, “Jacqueline Hoadley was a very special person. She dedicated her life to improving the lives of disabled children in general as well as the three children that the two of you adopted as a couple.

“Society has lost a truly good person who will not be forgotten by those who loved her and those who benefitted, directly or indirectly, from her campaigning on their behalf.”

“Jacqueline leaves behind two children who she absolutely adored and spent her life caring for and it is our hope her memory will live on with those children and her wonderful family who have been so supportive throughout this entire investigation and trail.”

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Andy Wolstenholme, from the Major Crime Team, added, “We welcome the sentencing of Raymond Hoadley for murdering his estranged wife Jacqueline Hoadley in a brutal and calculated attack.

“Hoadley has consistently denied his involvement, even in the wake of overwhelming evidence. He believed that he had planned his crime with sufficient depth, hiding his lies within elements of truth with enough plausibility to conceal his guilt.

“But he hadn’t, the Major Crime Team always saw through his lies and conducted a meticulous investigation including hours of CCTV and large volumes of forensic evidence through which we were able to prove conclusively, that Hoadley was Jacqueline’s killer.

“In court Hoadley chose not to give evidence, and despite a vociferous defence, the jury were able to see the truth.

“All members of the team has been touched by Jacqueline’s commitment to advancing the rights of disabled children, as well as opening her heart and home to her children who she loved and cared for unconditionally.

“Jacqueline’s family have been incredibly strong throughout and have been very supportive of the investigation, for which we thank them.

”The whole police team feel proud to have brought this case on Jacqueline’s behalf, and hope that Jacqueline’s memory lives on through her devoted children and family.”