Zbigniew Chlebek, 66, and Beata Walczak, 58, have been convicted of murder after a brutal and repeated assault that resulted in the death of a 43-year-old man in Shipley, West Yorkshire. The pair beat Jaroslav Daniszewski to death with an iron before calling the police and falsely claiming they had discovered his body.
On the morning of April 22, 2026, the couple contacted emergency services. Chlebek told the call handler, "I don't know what's happened, all I know is that there is a man lying here.. and, well, he's dead." He added that he had only just woken up and did not know how the events unfolded, but stated the victim was not breathing and was cold.
Officers arriving at the scene found Mr. Daniszewski deceased on the living room floor. He had sustained significant injuries to his head and face, and a broken, blood-stained iron was discovered nearby. The prosecution stated that the call to police was made approximately a day and a half after the fatal assault, which they allege occurred 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 own accommodation, she informed staff that Mr. Daniszewski had died in her arms. She claimed to have been drinking at the flat with three other men, including the victim, before going to sleep.
Following a trial at Bradford Crown Court, Chlebek and Walczak were found guilty of murder on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Matt Holdsworth described the investigation as centering on a sustained assault where Jaroslav was subjected to a prolonged attack with an iron and then left unconscious. He emphasized that instead of seeking help for the gravely injured man, the defendants allowed him to die. The evidence, Holdsworth noted, demonstrated the severity of the attack and the offenders' deliberate failure to provide or summon assistance when it was clear the victim urgently needed medical attention. He concluded by stating that the conviction reflects the meticulous investigative work and determination to secure justice for victims of serious violence, and expressed condolences to Mr. Daniszewski's loved ones, hoping the verdicts provide some comfort.