Jean Kidby

Jean Kidby was strangled at her home in Manwood Road, Brockley on 2 April 1985.

Her 55-year-old husband was tried for her murder but acquitted.

Jean Kidby died within half-an-hour of her husband going to work.

However, at the trial it was heard that their epileptic son could have strangled her and remembered nothing about it.

They had been married for 34 years and had six children.

Jean Kidby's husband had told the police that Jean Kidby had been fit and well when they kissed goodbye just before 8am when he set off for work.

However, less than half-an-hour later, their 13-year-old daughter found Jean Kidby dead in bed after which their 23-year-old epileptic son called for an ambulance.

However, at the murder trial at the Old Bailey, a consultant neurosurgeon said that it was possible that after her husband left that their 23-year-old son could have killed her during the automatism stage of a fit and remembered nothing about it.

It was heard that their son suffered three to four fits a week.

However, their 23-year-old son, who attended karate lessons, denied that he had had a fit that morning, stating that he woke up only when his sister came into his room with the news.

He added:

Following Jean Kidby's husband's acquittal, he said that what happened was a mystery to everybody and that he could only feel sorry for his son.

His son said:

A police officer outside the court told reporters that the case would go back to the Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration.