Husband killed wife year after they married because he was scared she’d leave him

Pictured here is Michael Davies in a blue shirt.
Michael Davies, 57, killed Tracy Davies, 48, at their home in Cefn Cribwr, Bridgend, before stabbing himself(Picture: Wales News Service)
An ex-soldier who strangled his wife to death after saying he was scared she would ‘go off’ with someone else has denied murdering her.

Michael Davies, 57, killed Tracy Davies, 48, at their home in Cefn Cribwr in Bridgend, Wales, before stabbing himself on the morning of April 18 last year.

The pair met in 2020 and had only been married for around a year by the time Tracy was found dead.

But jurors heard that in the weeks beforehand Davies had made web searches including ‘how to stop paranoid thoughts in a relationship’ and ‘how to stop being jealous in a relationship’.

Newport Crown Court heard army veteran Davies had gone to Abu Dhabi to work in the security industry but had recently been sent back to the UK by his boss.

Mark Cotter KC, prosecuting, said relatives had raised concerns about Davies’ wellbeing since his return home on April 11, 2025, believing he had lost weight and seemed reserved.

The court heard he told family and friends he had struggled with his mental health, particularly during his time in the Middle East, and had been prescribed antidepressants and sleeping pills.

He told his sister he was afraid his wife might ‘go off with someone else’ and worried he might ‘turn out like his father’, who was apparently sectioned when Davies was still a teenager.

The jury heard Davies also made internet searches including ‘how to fight paranoia’, ‘understanding paranoia and extreme mistrust’ and ‘overcoming jealousy in a relationship’ in the weeks leading up to the incident.

Tracy was found dead in the bedroom at their home in Bridgend on April 18, 2025, when family members entered the property after growing concerned by a lack of contact.

A post-mortem examination found she had died as a result of pressure to the neck.

Pictured here is Tracey Davies. A jealous former solder strangled his "extraordinary" wife to death after paranoid fears she would leave him, a court heard. Tracey Davies, 48, was described by her family as a "devoted mother" - but was found dead in the bedroom of her village home. Tracey had been due to meet family members to attend a concert and when she failed to appear they raised the alarm. Police then called at the couple's home found tragic Tracey slumped over her bed having been strangled to death. Husband Michael Davies, 57, then took an apparent pain-killer overdose and stabbed himself after killing his wife. Davies is accused of murdering Tracey - formerly known as Tracey Young - in April last year, a week after having returned from security work in the Middle East. A court heard the couple had been married for around a year before the alleged murder at the cottage in the 1,500-population village of Cefn Cribwr, near Bridgend. But prosecutor Mark Cotter KC, said Davies feared his wife would leave him and had googled search terms such as "how to stop being jealous in a relationship" online. Other searches included: ???how to fight paranoia???, ???paranoia self care???, ???types of mental health problems???, ???how to stop paranoia thoughts???, ???how to stop paranoia thoughts in a relationship???. The former soldier left the army in 2023 before gaining security work in Abu Dhabi but when he returned to the UK he was in a "low mood" and had been "reluctant to see friends." Davies had told his sister he feared Tracey would leave him and he would be sectioned due to paranoia. Tracey had confided with family members that her husband did not seem well and had been lying on the bed. She was due to attend a concert on April 18 last year but hat morning neither Tracey nor her husband replied to messages from family When she did not attend the gig family members went to her home and used a key to get in. They found Tracey "flopped" on the bed and Davies behind a door wearing pyjama bottoms with blood around his groin and chest. Emergency services arrived and pronounced her dead as Davies was taken to hospital. Davies has admitted manslaughter by diminished responsibility over Tracey's death but denies murder. The trial before judge Daniel Williams continues. In a tribute her family said: "In loving memory of Tracey, an extraordinary woman whose strength, love, and humour touched every life she encountered. "She was a devoted mother, a cherished sister, a loyal friend, and a radiant presence whose laughter could light up any room. "Her unwavering support, fierce spirit, and boundless compassion made her the heart of her family and a second mum to many. "Whether through a perfectly timed joke, a warm cwtch, or simply being there, she gave so much of herself to others. "Her children were her greatest pride, and she fought for them with unmatched devotion. "Though the ache of her absence is immense, her legacy lives on in the love she gave and the lives she changed. "Nothing compares to her, and she will be loved, missed, and remembered always." WALES NEWS SERVICE
Tracy Davies was described by her family as a ‘devoted mother’ (Picture: Wales News Service)
Davies later told police his wife had left bed that morning to make coffee but had instead used the bathroom and returned to the bedroom, where they cuddled.

He told police the next thing he remembered was sitting on her chest and fastening his hands around her neck.

Mr Cotter said: ‘He said he wasn’t aggressive, or screaming, or shouting; he said she struggled, but told police “I just didn’t understand what was going on”.

‘He described himself as panicking at seeing Tracy in the state that she was in.’

The jury was told Davies was found with ‘not immediately life-threatening’ injuries.

He later told police he ‘wasn’t doing it to get back at her’ and that he did not know why he had strangled her.

Mr Cotter told the jury the couple had not had a dispute when he killed Mrs Davies.

He added: ‘However, he denies an intention to kill or to cause really serious bodily harm.

‘The defendant, Mr Davies, has already entered a guilty plea to manslaughter but that plea has not been accepted by the prosecution.’

The trial continues.

SOURCE: Man strangled wife after saying he feared she might ‘go off with someone else’ | News UK | Metro News