Man Denies Murder in Case of Pregnant Twin's Fatal Stabbing

Stephan Garner, 31, has admitted to killing his pregnant girlfriend, Amber O'Brien, 33, who was found dead on her bathroom floor with more than 60 stab wounds. Garner denies the charge of murder, with his trial underway at Manchester Crown Court.

Prosecutors allege that Garner killed O'Brien in the early hours of April 18 after an argument. Her body was discovered on April 19 in the eighth-floor flat they shared in Blackley, north Manchester. The pathologist recorded over 60 separate stab, incised, and puncture wounds, with 32 concentrated on her face and neck.

Following the incident, Garner allegedly spent approximately a day and a half cleaning the scene, stripping and washing O'Brien's body, bleaching the flat, and disposing of their mobile phones. He reportedly told a relative he had been cleaning the bathroom after purchasing bleach and cleaning supplies. Police gained entry to the flat on April 19 after Garner allegedly told his cousin he had stabbed O'Brien. He is reported to have claimed O'Brien had been threatening him.

Garner has pleaded guilty to manslaughter but denies murder. The court heard that the couple had been in a relationship for about three months. O'Brien had expressed concerns to her brother about their frequent arguments over minor issues and Garner's mood swings, stating two weeks before her death that "Something ain't fitting with me." There was also a dispute regarding O'Brien's existing flat in Middleton, with Garner reportedly pressuring her to give it up and move in with him. O'Brien had moved into Garner's flat three weeks before her death.

Prosecutors acknowledged friction in the relationship was not one-sided, noting an audio recording where O'Brien could be heard threatening Garner. However, they argued this did not justify Garner's actions. O'Brien had reportedly called her brother in the early hours of April 18, saying, "I can't stand him, I'm not staying here." She left the flat but later returned with Garner.

When officers arrested Garner around 7 p.m. on April 19, they detected a strong smell of bleach in the flat. He made no comment during two police interviews.

Garner is expected to argue at trial that he did not intend to cause serious bodily harm and that he lost control. He is expected to claim that when he attempted to leave the flat in the early hours of April 18, O'Brien punched him, held a knife, and told him the babies had been aborted.

The trial is anticipated to last seven days.

Amber O'Brien's family described her as a "beautiful soul" and a "devoted daughter and sister." In a statement released through Greater Manchester Police, they expressed their devastation and remembered her for her warm smile, kind heart, and ability to uplift others.