"It's a really shocking thing to have happened."
Jeyamalar Kumarathas, aged 54, of Wymondham, Norfolk, appeared at Norwich Crown Court on Thursday, March 21, 2019, after being charged with the murder of her husband.
She allegedly murdered her husband Kumarathas Rajasingam, aged 57, at a property in Burdock Close.
The victim was found at the property during the night of Saturday, March 16, 2019, with serious wounds to his chest and head.
Mr Rajasingam was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for treatment. However, he died on March 17, 2019.
A Home Office post-mortem examination was conducted and it determined that the likely cause of death was multiple organ failure as a result of stab wounds.
Kumarathas was arrested and charged in connection with the murder of her husband.
Following the incident, neighbours spoke about their shock at the death, describing the couple as “pleasant”.
Julie Pett, aged 50, who lives in Burdock Close, said:
“It’s a really shocking thing to have happened. I have lived here seven years and they ran the local shop when I first moved in. They always seemed pleasant.”
Beth Parker said: “It’s a tragic and awful thing.”
Mr Rajasingam used to own the local Spar supermarket on Blackthorn Road. Wymondham is a market town in Norfolk, situated 9.5 miles southwest of Norwich.
The suspect appeared in the dock for her hearing but was without an interpreter.
A pre-trial preparation hearing (PTPH) has been set for May 8, 2019. On that date, it is expected that pleas will be entered.
A trial date was also set for Monday, August 19, 2019. Judge Stephen Holt told Kumarathas that a trial date had been confirmed and was expected to last two weeks.
He also told her that she would next be back in court for the PTPH. Kumarathas remains in custody as there was no application for bail.
A police cordon at the site of the incident has been lifted. The property was located near to Norfolk Police Headquarters.
Acting Detective Inspector Neil Stewart, from the Joint Major Investigation Team (JMIT), said:
“We have now completed our investigations at the scene of the incident and the police cordon has been lifted.”
“However, our initial enquiries have revealed that the people involved used to own and run the local convenience store on the Harts Farm estate and we would be keen to speak to anyone with information regarding their time there.”
During Kumarathas’ short hearing, there were a number of people in the public gallery.
Anyone with information on the case has been advised to contact police on 101.
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