Daryl Berman, 72, has been convicted of murdering her husband, David Berman, 84, with a paring knife. Prosecutors alleged she deliberately stabbed her husband of nearly 30 years for reasons unknown to them, a jury found.
David Berman's death in March 2025 was initially treated as an accident by police. His wife claimed he must have stumbled while carrying her lunch tray, with the small blade penetrating his chest as he fell. However, concerns were raised after a post-mortem examination, which revealed a single stab wound to his chest and an injury to his finger described as defensive.
A pathologist concluded the injuries had typical features of a homicide, leading to a murder investigation. Under cross-examination, forensic pathologist Dr. Philip Lumb stated that the force required to cause the wound would have been severe and that an accidental fatal injury in such circumstances is rare. He added that the combination of the chest wound and the finger injury made homicide inconceivable.
Daryl Berman testified that she heard her husband stumble and rushed to find him face down on the kitchen floor with significant blood loss. She claimed he had been carrying her lunch tray, which included a 12cm paring knife she had used to cut salad, and must have fallen on it.
Relatives of the deceased noted that Daryl Berman appeared unusually matter-of-fact and emotionless in the days following her husband's death. She also reportedly asked a police officer called to their home, “You don't think I've murdered him, do you?”
David Berman, a retired self-employed joiner, was a grandfather and great-grandfather. Neighbors described him as "kind-hearted" and a gentleman. He had been married twice before and wed Daryl Berman in 1997 after meeting on a blind date. The marriage was described as seemingly loving and mutually supportive.
Mr. Berman had been diagnosed with dementia and used a walking stick, but was in good everyday health prior to his death. He spent the morning of March 13, 2025, at a play center with his daughter and great-granddaughter. Shortly before 2 p.m., his wife called 999 and was given instructions for CPR. She told the operator she was in another room when she heard him stumble and fall.
A jury was unable to reach a verdict in a previous trial, but after a retrial, Daryl Berman was convicted of murder. She is scheduled to be sentenced in July. Sazeeda Ismail of the Crown Prosecution Service stated that the jury saw through her lies, leading to the conviction due to the strength of the prosecution's case.