Makepeace was found guilty of murder last month following a trial at Chester Crown Court, according to court reports. The two were former partners who first met in prison, and although their relationship had formally ended around 2023, they remained in regular contact and had been in relationships with other people since, sources indicate. On August 15, 2025, Makepeace traveled from her home in Prestatyn, Wales, to stay with Rothwell at his flat in Macclesfield, Cheshire.
The following Monday, Rothwell became angry after a phone call with his recent ex-girlfriend Katie Taylor, in which she revealed she had slept with another man, as reported by witnesses. An argument ensued in the street nearby, during which Makepeace assaulted Taylor by slapping her and was verbally abusive, according to accounts. A passing motorist reported the incident to police, who attended and spoke with Taylor and Rothwell at his flat, where Makepeace was present and reportedly irate, police records show.
A number of hours after police left that same evening, Makepeace fatally stabbed Rothwell in the chest following an argument, as detailed in court proceedings. She stayed at the flat overnight and left the following morning. According to Daily Mail - News, Makepeace described grappling with Rothwell while he was holding a knife, claiming it inadvertently went into his chest.
During the day on August 19, Makepeace made calls to friends disclosing she had stabbed Rothwell, and in a voice note said she had murdered her boyfriend, according to evidence presented. She later called 999, stating she needed help and that Rothwell had attacked her, and in self-defense she had stabbed him, though Cheshire Police reported she claimed to still be at the address when she was clearly back in rural North Wales. Police attended the flat at 10:43 PM and discovered Rothwell's body in the bathroom; he had a single stab wound to his chest and a yellow blanket, according to police findings.
The exact nature of the argument that led to the fatal stabbing and the significance of the yellow blanket remain unclear, as does the evidence presented at trial regarding Makepeace's self-defense claim.