A man has admitted to murdering and decapitating his girlfriend before texting her mum pretending to be her.
Ewan Methven, 27, killed Phoenix Spencer-Horn, 21, at the home they shared in Kilbride’s Glen Lee, Scotland, on November 16
Methven, a Royal Mail postman, attacked Phoenix with three knives, stabbing her 20 times, before choking her.
Prosecutors say he severed her head and tried to remove her limbs and torso.
He later spent the weekend using Phoenix’s phone to browse pornography, try to buy drugs and text her mum that she is ‘alive and well’, a court heard.
On the day of the murder, Methven said Phoenix’s shifts as a waitress made him feel ‘lonely’.
The couple had been together for two years, having met at a family party.
Phoenix texted her mum, Alison Spencer, at 9.37pm, saying they were eating a takeaway.
Prosecutor Christopher McKenna said: ‘Late on Saturday, November 16, he strangled her and stabbed her. He dialled 999 but not until November 18.
‘Her mutilated and decapitated body was discovered only on November 18.’
This Is Not Right
On November 25, 2024 Metro launched This Is Not Right, a year-long campaign to address the relentless epidemic of violence against women.
With the help of our partners at Women’s Aid, This Is Not Right aims to shine a light on the sheer scale of this national emergency.
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Phoenix’s mother texted her daughter on November 17, only for Methen to reply: ‘Phe is not up yet.’
He then later used Phoenix’s phone to message Alison: ‘Hey sorry I’ve just woken up xxx.’ He claimed she was ‘alive and well’ and was ‘all good’.
In a 999 call on November 18, Methven claimed the murder happened when he had a psychotic episode induced by cocaine, alcohol and steroids.
But the court also heard he ordered takeout around 8pm and ‘did not appear to be drunk or under the influence by the delivery driver’.
Methven pleaded guilty to murder and attempting to defeat the ends of justice at the High Court in Glasgow today.
He will be sentenced next month.
Phoenix Spencer-Horn was ‘angel’, say friends
Those who knew Phoenix described her as an ‘angel’ and a young woman with her ‘whole life ahead of her’.
Friends widely shared a tribute to Phoenix on Facebook in November, sharing an image of angel wings, a love heart and a candle adorned with her nickname, ‘Phe’.
The tribute said: ‘The family and friends of Phoenix Spencer-Horn would appreciate this shared in her memory. They would love everyone to focus on beautiful Phe and that only at this time.’
A GoFundMe was launched to raise money for Phoenix’s family, with nearly £6,500 raised.
This Is Not Right
On November 25, 2024 Metro launched This Is Not Right, a year-long campaign to address the relentless epidemic of violence against women.
With the help of our partners at Women’s Aid, This Is Not Right aims to shine a light on the sheer scale of this national emergency.
You can find more articles here, and if you want to share your story with us, you can send us an email at vaw@metro.co.uk.
Read more:
It said: ‘Phe was and is adored by her family. Anyone who knew Phe would know she would be grateful to anyone who is able to support her family at this time.’
Ciara Dixon said on Facebook: ‘I am absolutely speechless, Phe, you did not deserve this, how can this world be so cruel! Rip angel. Friendship I will never forget.’
Another said: ‘RIP Phoenix Spencer-Horn, may you rest in eternal peace, gorgeous girl, throughout will remember and cherish our memories x.’
Learn more about femicide
- On average, one woman a week is killed by a partner/ex-partner.
- Of the 249 female domestic homicide victims between March 2020 and March 2022, the suspect was male in a staggering 241 cases.
- Women’s Aid have found that women are over three times more likely to be killed by a partner than by not wearing a seatbelt
- A Killed Women survey found that only 4% of bereaved family members said their loved one’s killing was not preventable at all
- Nearly half (49%) of women murdered by their partner or ex-partner are killed less than a month after separation, 79% killed within six months of separation and 90% killed within a year of separation (ONS, 2017)
Detective Chief Inspector Susie Cairns said today: ‘My thoughts remain with Phoenix’s family and friends as they continue to try to come to terms with what happened.
‘Methven now faces the consequences of his actions. Violence such as this is never acceptable in our communities, and we will work tirelessly to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.’
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