Zbigniew Chlebek, 66, and Beata Walczak, 58, have been convicted of murder following a brutal attack that resulted in the death of a 43-year-old man. The pair beat Jaroslav Daniszewski to death with an iron in Shipley, West Yorkshire, before contacting emergency services and claiming they had discovered his body.
On the morning of April 22, 2026, the couple called police, with Chlebek telling the dispatcher, "I don't know what's happened, all I know is that there is a man lying here.. and, well, he's dead." He further stated, "I've only just woken up, gosh, I don't know how what's happened before, but he's not breathing at all and he is cold."
Officers responding to the call found Mr. Daniszewski on the living room floor with severe injuries to his head and face. A broken, blood-stained iron was recovered from the scene.
Prosecutor Jason Pitter informed the court that the call to police was made approximately 36 hours after the fatal assault, alleging Mr. Daniszewski died on the evening of April 20, 2026.
CCTV footage captured Walczak leaving the premises the morning after the attack, carrying blood-stained clothing. Upon returning to her accommodation, she informed staff that Mr. Daniszewski had "died in her arms." She claimed to have been drinking with three other men, including the victim, before falling asleep, only to wake and find him deceased on the floor.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Matt Holdsworth described the incident as a "sustained assault in which Jaroslav was subjected to a prolonged assault with an iron and then left unconscious by those responsible." He emphasized that instead of seeking help for the gravely injured man, the defendants left him to die.
"The evidence gathered by the investigation team demonstrated not only the severity of the attack but also the deliberate failure of the offenders to provide or summon assistance when it was clear the victim was in urgent need of medical attention," Holdsworth stated.
Chlebek and Walczak were found guilty of murder on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, after a trial at Bradford Crown Court. Detectives credited meticulous investigative work and the collaboration with forensic scientists for securing the conviction, reflecting a determination to bring justice for victims of serious violence. Authorities extended condolences to Mr. Daniszewski's loved ones, hoping the verdicts offer some comfort.