'I don't want my mother to be remembered as a murder victim'
Northamptonshire PoliceA woman who was raped and murdered by her estranged husband has been described by loved ones as "the kindest mother, daughter, sister, auntie and friend".
Kimberley Thompson, 43, from Pinewood Road, Northampton, was killed by her husband Michael Thompson, 56, in the early hours of 9 August and he later tried to stage her death as a suicide.
On Tuesday he was jailed for life at Nottingham Crown Court and told he must serve a minimum term of 33 years.
Kimberley's daughter, Athena, said: "I don't want people to know my mother as only a victim... she was the most loving, kind, thoughtful person to ever exist, and without a doubt the best mother a daughter could ask for."
The court heard how Thompson subjected Kimberley to years of domestic abuse, including controlling, coercive behaviour, and physical violence and made hundreds of hours of recordings of her before he suffocated her at their home.
'My rock'
Athena said: "Around 3-4% of children lose a parent before they reach 18. I am part of that percentage.
"However, around 0.0004% of children lose their mother due to their father murdering them. I am now also part of that percentage.
"My mum was my best friend, she was meant to be constant in every part of my life, and I was supposed to make countless more memories with her.
"I've lost the one person I knew I could always rely on, the one person who filled me with happiness effortlessly, even though my mum was someone who always put effort into everything she did.
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"My life was the best because she was in it, and my mum did everything she possibly could just to see me smile. She was my rock, just as I was hers.
"Losing my mother in such a violent and senseless way has completely shattered and destroyed my world.
"I am battling constant grief and a profound feeling of abandonment.
"My mum deserved more than I can even put into words. She did not deserve to have her life stripped from her, by a vile, nefarious, toxic person.
"I've had to watch all my friends, and all my teammates spend time with their mum, post about their mum, make memories with their mum, call their mum, listen to people share stories about their mum, whilst I can't even mention mine without bursting into tears.
"All I want is my mum. I want to hug her and tell her how much I love her."
At his sentencing on Tuesday, Judge Nirmal Shant KC said Thompson showed an "ultimate act of cowardice and contempt" as he refused to attend the court to "hear from the family of the grief you have caused".
'Best sister and friend'
Dionne, Kimberley's sister, said: "I want to start by saying how much Kim was loved and how much she meant to all of us – she was the kindest mother, daughter, sister, auntie and friend.
"We will never get over the loss and pain caused by this selfish act.
"To me, Kim was the best sister and friend, someone I thought would be by my side throughout my entire life. It's difficult to describe the sheer joy we both got from simply spending time together.
"Being with our children, our greatest achievements, made us indescribably happy. And to know I'll never see her again or experience these special moments as a family haunts me every day.
"I want the whole world to know that Kim really was the bravest, most selfless, precious and wonderful person and she will never, ever be forgotten."
Amanda, another of Kim's sisters, said: "Kim loved her children more than words can say.
"One of the most devastating aspects of Kim's death is the impact it has had on her children.
"Not only have they lost their mum, they have also lost the stability and security that every child deserves. They are now having to navigate their childhood and future without the love, guidance, support and reassurance of their mother.
"I no longer have the chance to speak with her, visit her, share family events or create memories together.
"The knowledge that these opportunities have been taken away is deeply upsetting."
Dedicated mother
Kimberley's family said the 43-year-old was a keen basketball player and coach and was part of Northampton Basketball Club.
Martin Spencer, from the club, said she was a "tiger mum", who encouraged her daughter, Athena, to play the sport.
"She really helped her daughter, who is a rising star in the sport in USA, she even turned her garden into a basketball club.
"She was dedicated to her daughter's development, dedicated to basketball.
"She was so positive and such a positive role model."
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