Woman Accused of Killing Banker Boyfriend, Leaving Body for Nine Days

A woman is accused of stabbing her banker boyfriend to death and leaving his partially decomposed body in their London apartment for up to nine days. Joanna Cierpka, 51, faces a charge of murder, though she has admitted to the lesser charge of manslaughter.

Police discovered the body of 52-year-old Henrik Slotsaa on March 15 during a welfare check at the couple's home in Newington Causeway, Elephant and Castle. Prosecutors told the court that investigators found unusual marks on Slotsaa's body, suggesting a possible attempt at dismemberment. "It was clear he had been dead for some time, as his body showed signs of decomposition, and there was dried, pooled, blood near to him," said Danny Robinson, KC, prosecuting.

When officers entered the apartment, Cierpka attempted to cut her own throat with a kitchen knife. She was disarmed and taken to the hospital, where she reportedly told staff, "I killed my partner." To police, she stated, "I don't want to be helped. You know what happened here? He told me I'm a useless s***. He told me I should kill myself."

The prosecution argues that Cierpka is guilty of murder, while the defense contends her actions were influenced by her mental state, leading to the manslaughter plea. "There is no dispute that Miss Cierpka killed Mr Slotsaa by stabbing him with a kitchen knife," Robinson stated. "The issue in this case is whether she is guilty of murder, or whether she bears a lesser degree of responsibility for his death because of her mental state at the time she stabbed him."

Pathologists found 14 separate sharp force injuries on Slotsaa, including slash and stab wounds to the face, neck, arms, and legs. There were also wounds to the back of his knees. The prosecutor suggested these might indicate an attempt at dismemberment.

According to friends, Slotsaa, who worked as a banker at Citibank's London office, had been seen flirting with a female colleague and had told Cierpka on her birthday that he had "met someone else at work." Jurors heard that Slotsaa had been exchanging messages with a colleague, Aimee O'Shaughnessy, throughout March. It is believed Slotsaa may have been dead by March 8, as messages continued from his phone after that date, which the prosecution suggests may not have been sent by him.

Work colleagues became concerned for Slotsaa's welfare when he did not show up for work starting March 9 and could not be contacted. Cierpka, originally from Poland, had previously worked for British American Tobacco before being made redundant. The trial is ongoing.