Christopher Trybus: Man accused of driving wife Tarryn Baird to suicide acquitted of manslaughter in landmark case
A man who deliberately killed his wife, who took her own life, was found not guilty.
Christopher Trybus, 44, of Swindon, Wiltshire, was acquitted by a jury at Winchester Crown Court on Wednesday.
He was accused of causing the death of Tarryn Baird, who died by suicide at the age of 34 in November 2017.
He was also acquitted of two charges of rape and one charge of controlling and coercive behavior.
During the trial, the prosecution alleged that Mr Trybus controlled Ms Baird by using and threatening violence towards her, sexually assaulting her, monitoring her whereabouts, restricting her access to finances, threatening to disclose private information to her family and isolating her from her family.
He was also accused of using a belt to strangle her and choking her during sex, causing her to pass out.
Giving evidence, Mr Trybus, who runs an IT company, said he traveled abroad frequently for business and was out of the country at the time many of the allegations occurred.
He also said he believed his wife was suffering from mental health issues due to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The jury president, consisting of seven women and five men, announced the verdicts in a quiet courtroom after 40 hours and 8 minutes of deliberations.
Mr. Trybus, wearing a gray suit, blue shirt and dark tie with a loose collar, stared at the ceiling and burst into tears as the verdicts were announced; Cries of relief were also heard from the public gallery.
Outside the court, he tearfully hugged his current wife, Bea, whom he married in August 2024.
The judge, Mr Justice Linden, thanked the jurors for their service and told them: “This was a difficult and harrowing case and the stakes were high for the families involved, so we understand that your task is not an easy one and no one should underestimate your role in these trials.”
The hearing heard Ms Baird was diagnosed as possibly suffering from PTSD after witnessing violent carjackings in South Africa, where she and the defendant grew up.
The court heard the couple moved to England in 2007 and married in 2009, but it became clear that the attempted burglary in 2015 triggered Ms Baird’s mental health problems, including anxiety and depression, which led her to seek help from mental health professionals.
He told the court how he felt about Ms Baird in light of the allegations: “It’s a very complicated feeling. I loved her very much and she went and said all these things.”
“Nothing like this ever happened, it’s such a mixed feeling. I’m sorry he said those things, but I can’t be mad at him for not being here. It’s not something I can put into words.”
He denied causing the injuries but said the injury to his neck could have been caused by the “bulky” bondage collar he was wearing during what was described in court as “weird” sex.
He told the court he bought a kit from Amazon that included handcuffs, rope, a leash, a ball gag, a whip and a blindfold.
The court played an audio clip recorded on Ms Baird’s phone in which she can be heard panting and grunting; The prosecution claimed this was evidence that Mr Trybus had assaulted her during sex, but the defendant said this was just the way he had sex and he did not believe she was in pain.
The national domestic violence helpline offers support to women on 0808 2000 247 or visit: Asylum website. There is a special section men’s advice line on 0808 8010 327. US residents can call the domestic violence hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). You can reach other international helplines at: www.befrienders.org
If you are experiencing feelings of distress or finding it difficult to cope, you can speak to Samaritans confidentially on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org or visit . Samaritans Website to find details of your nearest branch.
If you are a US resident and you or someone you know needs mental health help right now, call or text 988 or visit: 988lifeline.org To access online chat on the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis helpline available to anyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you are in another country you can go www.befrienders.org To find a helpline near you.
