Derby Butcher Receives Life Sentence for Gruesome Murder and Burial of Girlfriend
A butcher from Derby has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 21 years for the horrific murder of her girlfriend, whose body was cut in half and buried under concrete in their garden. Anna Podedworna, originally from Poland, was found guilty of murder, preventing a lawful burial, and perverting the course of justice following a three-week trial at Derby Crown Court.
Chilling Details of the Crime
The court heard that Podedworna killed Izabela Zablocka, 30, using a horse figurine before dismembering her body. She wrapped the remains in bin bags and placed them in what was described as a "filthy, makeshift grave" in Normanton, Derby. Prosecutors revealed that "considerable force" was required to cut Ms. Zablocka's body in half, and electrical tape was used to bind her legs together "like a chicken."
Podedworna, who worked at a turkey processing factory in Scropton, Derbyshire, where she skinned, deboned, and cut up meat, claimed during her trial that she acted in self-defense. She stated, "I was just terrified, I felt fear. I thought I will bury her. I took the decision I would bury her in the garden." She added that she cut the body into two pieces because she lacked the strength to move it whole.
Discovery and Investigation
Ms. Zablocka was reported missing in 2010 after losing contact with her family, but Podedworna denied any knowledge of her whereabouts. The case broke open last year when Podedworna "cracked" and emailed police after a Polish journalist traveled to the UK to interview her. In June, the victim's remains were discovered under concrete in the garden of the house the couple shared after moving from Poland together.
The jury rejected Podedworna's self-defense claim, convicting her based on the evidence presented. The victim's daughter, Katarzyna Zablocka, who was a child when her mother moved to the UK, expressed that she had spent her entire adult life "looking for answers" about her mother's fate.
Legal Outcome and Impact
This case highlights a brutal crime that remained hidden for years, underscoring the challenges in missing persons investigations. The sentencing brings a measure of closure to the victim's family, though the trauma of the event lingers. Authorities have emphasized the importance of thorough police work and community vigilance in solving such complex cases.
