Norbert Maiksner has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 24 years after being found guilty of murdering Frances Obiefuleh in her Havant home last April, according to court reports. The conviction follows a two-week trial at Portsmouth Crown Court where Maiksner also faced a charge of neglect of a child.
The crime was discovered after Maiksner was found walking along a slip road of the M40 near High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, the day after the murder, police said. Police bodycam captured Maiksner telling a traffic officer that police needed to be called because he had killed his girlfriend, according to authorities. Frances Obiefuleh was found dead at her home in Havant, Hampshire, with blue tape wrapped around her face and head, as reported by investigators.
A post-mortem concluded that Ms Obiefuleh's cause of death was smothering, with an element of neck and/or chest compression, according to the coroner's report. Doorbell camera footage showed Maiksner entering her home on the night of April 16 before a neighbor heard 'four consecutive bangs' around 15 minutes later, police stated.
Maiksner had been in a relationship with Ms Obiefuleh, but ended things the day before her body was found, according to court testimony. He told officers that he killed Ms Obiefuleh and stated that it was all a dream and that he wanted to wake up, police records indicate.
After being arrested, Maiksner told police that he was 'the devil' and that he 'didn't deserve to live,' according to authorities. In police interviews, Maiksner declined legal representation, then remained silent when questioned and at one point 'nodded off,' as reported by investigators.
A not-guilty plea was entered on Maiksner's behalf as he refused to engage with the proceedings, according to court documents. Maiksner was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of murder and neglect of a child following a two-week trial at Portsmouth Crown Court, the court confirmed. Maiksner will serve a minimum term of 24 years in prison, as per the sentencing judgment.
The family of Ms Obiefuleh have paid tribute to their beloved sister and aunt in a statement released by police, expressing their grief and loss.