Jealous rage and a hidden tape: The murder of Janee Parsons
Killer Britain with Dermot MurnaghanIn December 2013, America-born Janee Parsons was planning a weekend away with her new boyfriend. Little did she know that soon she’d be brutally murdered by her husband, Andrew.
The murder of Janee Parsons at the hands of her violent husband was a case that shocked the nation. The suspect was caught on a hidden dictation machine, and the couple’s young son witnessed the killing.
Join us at Crime+Investigation, as we examine the convicted man and the jealous rage that killed the mother of his child and sentenced him to 20 years in prison. The case is also featured on the latest series of Killer Britain with Dermot Murnaghan, which will be available from Monday, 12th May on Crime+Investigation.
A secret boyfriend
Andrew and Janee Parsons got married in 2004 in Las Vegas. The couple lived in the US briefly before relocating to England. Things were going from strength to strength for the couple, or so it seemed.
A few weeks before the tragic attack, the Oxfordshire-based victim confessed to the former football apprentice she’d met someone else and wanted to separate.
According to her husband, he and his wife slept in separate rooms after the confession. However, he hoped they might eventually reunite, as they shared the same bed a few days before the attack. Sadly, a reunion wasn’t on the cards.
Completely lost control
At the Bicester home the couple shared with their two children, Andrew Parsons suddenly snapped and stabbed Janee multiple times with a kitchen knife.
But what happened in the lead-up to this awful incident?
Mr Parsons told the jury that he was protecting himself after his wife hit him with her phone. This then caused him to punch her in the face, causing Janee to bleed.
The suspect then told the defence counsel that Janee had a knife in her hand, and when he went to disarm her, events took a tragic turn.
'I could see the knife. I just went to disarm her. I lunged towards her from the top of the stairs.'
Sources later alleged that Andrew Parsons had been clinically depressed and under an immense amount of pressure when his jealousy turned into manic rage.
A murder caught on tape
After the murder, a family member found a dictation device hidden underneath the couple’s bed. This critical evidence was handed to Thames Valley Police and later presented at court. These recordings proved crucial to the case.
According to reports, Andrew Parsons had bought the dictation machine to subsequently spy on his wife before learning of her affair.
The audio footage lasted around 45 minutes. Oxford Crown Court could hear Mr Parsons tell his wife that she looked 'fantastic' — the jury could then hear the lead-up to the argument that caused the brutal murder.
'I can't believe you're going straight from me to this guy.'
The victim’s last moments were captured, and her distressed family heard Janee pleading with her husband not to kill her. Their young son was screaming in the background.
Janee could be heard mumbling something after the stabbing. They were words of prayer: 'Oh my God, no, no, dear God forgive me for my sins.'
The trial
In the face of overwhelming evidence, the trial looked straightforward. However, Mr Parsons continued to maintain his innocence even after the prosecution played the dictation device in court.
Even though the father-of-two told the court he doesn’t remember the attack, the prosecution alleged that the murder was vicious and deliberate.
The Oxford Crown Court jury was told that the mother died of at least 17 stab wounds at the property in Bicester.
'It is indeed a tragic, tragic case.
'No one more than Andrew Parsons wishes he could turn the clock back. He loved his wife, perhaps too much - and still does.' David Heslop QC told the jury.
The aftermath
At the two-week trial, Andrew Parsons pleaded guilty to manslaughter. However, he was convicted of murder.
The father-of-two was sentenced to life in prison and told he must serve at least 20 years.
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