Woman Found Guilty of Murder After Phoning 999 to Claim Husband Hanged Himself

A Wolverhampton woman, Amy Pugh, 34, has been convicted of murdering her estranged husband, 32-year-old Kyle Pugh, following a violent confrontation in March 2022 at her former home in Newport, Shropshire.

During a six-week trial at Stafford Crown Court, jurors heard harrowing details of a volatile and abusive relationship, culminating in an argument over Kyle’s girlfriend’s pregnancy. The situation escalated, ending with Kyle unresponsive. Rather than seeking help immediately, Amy delayed her emergency call by 20 minutes and tried to stage the scene as a suicide.

Despite Kyle’s past struggles with mental health, prosecutors presented evidence — including text messages Kyle sent making plans with friends and family that evening — to counter Amy’s claims.

“Rather than calling for help once Pugh realised Kyle was no longer responsive, she took extreme measures to ensure no one would ever be able to link his death back to her,” said Det. Insp. Jo Delahay.

The court also learned that in 2021, Amy had been convicted of arson after setting fire to Kyle’s workshop — even sending him videos of the blaze while singing “Ring of Fire.” She received a suspended sentence for that offence.

Kyle was taken to Princess Royal Hospital, Telford, where he died the following day. A postmortem confirmed neck compression injuries, contradicting the suicide narrative.

Pugh, who showed no remorse, is due for sentencing on 5 September.