Man guilty of 'body in the box' murder - 15-05-2008

A man has been found guilty at Lewes Crown Court today (Wednesday 14th May) of murdering his wife and concealing her body for several weeks in a car roof box in their garden.

It took under two hours for the jury to return an unaminous verdict convicting unemployed Andre Genestin, 48, of Maresfield Road, Brighton of murdering his 37 year old wife Catherine (also known as Katya) Genestin at their home address last year.

Speaking at Lewes Crown Court, DCI Adam Hibbert from Sussex Police's Major Crime Branch said: "I hope today's verdict brings some closure to the very distressing events which were uncovered in Maresfield Road last June. A daughter has been left without a mother; she has also been left without a father following his conviction today for murder. My heartfelt sympathies go out to that young girl and Catherine's family and friends.

"Police officers initially attended the address to conduct a missing persons enquiry. Whilst there they became suspicious and the Major Crime Branch were alerted. Andre Genestin was seen to leave the house and was arrested. Within a very short time, there was a grim and very disturbing discovery. On 27th June 2007, the body of Catherine was found badly decomposed in a car roof box located in the back garden. It was apparent that she had been there for some weeks.

"The very real tragedy is Andre Genestin initially concealed Catherine's body within the house and subsequently in the car roof box in the garden whilst their young daughter was wondering all the while if her mother had left home or had come to some harm.

"By his own admission, Andre Genestin is a self-confessed liar who has decieved everyone he has come into contact with, including his own daughter."

In August 2007, a number of police officers were congratulated for the actions they took when investigating the initial report of missing Catherine which led to Andre Genestin being charged with murder.

Andre Genestin will be sentenced tomorrow, Thursday 15th May, at Lewes Crown Court.

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