Daughter says she killed elderly mother because she loved her too much to put her into care
A girl who strangled her elderly mother with a belt on Christmas morning and then attempted to take her own life is expected to go to prison, it has been said.
Stefania Glowka, 64, killed Tamara Glowka, 86, at their address in Devizes, Wiltshire, on December 25 last year.
Glowka had previously pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his mother but denied her murder.
A jury at Bristol Crown Court acquitted him of murder.
He will be sentenced by Judge Julian Lambert on Tuesday afternoon.
Addressing the jury, the judge said: “Trial by jury is a vital part of our functioning democracy.
“Thank you for helping to develop democracy in our land.”
During Glowka’s trial, the court heard that Glowka was the primary caregiver for her mother, with whom she lived and shared a bedroom.
The jury was told Glowka said she wanted to “leave her mother” after both women suffered deterioration in their mental health.
Prosecutor Simon Jones said: “Tamara Glowka was 86 when she was strangled with a belt in a very deliberate act of violence.
“The plan was ultimately for the defendant, Ms. Glowka, to commit suicide after killing her mother.
“The suicide attempt failed and the police investigation into the day’s events revealed (the prosecution says) a tragic but determined murder.”
Mr Jones told the court Glowka had prepared her mother’s favorite meal on Christmas Eve and spent a “lovely evening” with her before they both went to bed.
Glowka, who never married or had children, later told police that she was the sole caregiver for her mother, whose mental and physical health was declining and who had recently been diagnosed with schizophrenia.
The court heard Glowka had trouble sleeping that night and felt she didn’t have the energy to continue caring for her mother.
Glowka later told police it was a “spur of the moment” decision to strangle himself using a belt as he got out of bed to go to the toilet in the early hours of the morning.
The court heard Glowka lay next to her dead mother and attempted suicide.
Although he lost consciousness for a while, he later woke up and called the police and told what happened.
In the interview, he stated that he had been his mother’s sole caregiver for 17 years and described himself as “at the end of my road”.
When officers arrived at the property Glowka directed them to a box of documents, including a letter to a close friend, and said: “I killed my mother because I couldn’t continue to care for her and I love her too much to put her in care in a care home.
“I also can’t imagine living alone, old age and inevitable health problems.”
The jury was told two psychiatrists evaluated Glowka and believed he suffered from recurrent depressive disorder.
If you are feeling distressed or struggling to cope, you can talk or email the Samaritans confidentially on 116 123 (UK and ROI). jo@samaritans.orgor visit Samaritans Website to find details of your nearest branch.
