Man Jailed for Life After Murdering Wife, Hiding Body in Freezer, and Contacting Escorts

Man sentenced to life after murdering wife, hiding body in freezer, and contacting escorts. Details emerge from court hearing.

Editorial Desk

October 9, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Wakefield, United Kingdom — A man has been handed a life sentence after killing his wife with a hammer and concealing her body in a chest freezer while engaging in online dating and draining their bank accounts.

David Barraclough, 46, was found guilty of the murder of his wife, Carolann Barraclough, 37, who died at their home in Horbury, Wakefield. The court heard that he spent nearly two weeks covering up the crime, including falsely claiming she was hospitalized with an illness.

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Prosecutors revealed that Barraclough contacted escorts and joined a dating app just days after the murder, while her body remained hidden in a freezer. He also emptied their joint bank account during the cover-up. The judge described the actions as ‘callous’ and emphasized the severity of the crime.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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