Serial killer fan Shaye Groves killed her boyfriend

• Shaye Groves was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.
• For killing Frankie Fitzgerald with a dagger.
• Groves was a manipulative, possessive and jealous woman.

Shaye Groves who was obsessed with serial killers and killed her on-off partner with a dagger has been sentenced to life in prison.

In July 2022, Shaye Groves killed Frankie Fitzgerald by slitting his throat and then stabbing him 17 times in the chest at her home in Havant, Hampshire.

The 27-year-old used information from real crime program to arrange her alibi and was convicted of murder after a trial.

In Winchester Crown Court, she was sentenced to a minimum of 23 years in prison.

The duo had a shared interest in BDSM, and Groves’ bedroom was equipped with a camera to capture them having sex, according to testimony given at her trial.

On her walls, there were framed images of infamous murderers like Myra Hindley and Peter Sutcliffe, as well as literature about criminals like renowned inmate Charles Bronson.

She kept a Celtic dagger that was used to kill Mr. Fitzgerald nearby or under her pillow in addition to knives, Viking axes, and other weapons.

Early on July 17, 2022, Mr. Fitzgerald, 25, passed away at Groves’ house. He had two children.

She allegedly acted jealously and stabbed Mr. Fitzgerald while he slept after learning that he had been texting someone online whom she had believed to be a 13-year-old girl.

The person, who was 17 years old, was stopped by Mr. Fitzgerald.

According to the prosecutor, Steven Perian KC, Groves pretended to be a victim of sexual assault to a friend by using information she learned from films.

She emailed a friend modified videos of the two having sex, but the prosecution insisted that the genuine tape demonstrated that the sex was actually consenting.

Mr. Perian added: “The Crown say that the defendant – by reading about and watching murder documentaries – she was familiar with crime scenes, how to create a false narrative and how to set up a false alibi.”

In a victim impact statement read in court, Mr. Fitzgerald’s mother Rosanne described him as “the shining light – a kind a beautiful person”.

According to his father Barry’s remark, his death “shattered” the family.

“He had his life in front of him – this was snatched away. I’m not sure we’ll ever get over this.”

Passing sentence, judge The Hon Mr. Justice Kerr said Groves was a “manipulative, possessive and jealous woman”.

He said she and Mr. Fitzgerald’s relationship had a “dangerous dynamic” and was “marked by rough sex, cocaine and alcohol”.

“You lost your temper and acted upon impulse. You loved the man you killed and killed the man you loved,” he added.

Det Ch Insp Nicola Burton stated after the sentencing that Mr. Fitzgerald had passed away from a “shocking and sustained attack.”

“As always, our thoughts first and foremost remain with Frankie’s family, friends and loved ones.

“I would like to praise their courage and hope that this sentence helps them to begin to move forward, despite knowing that nothing can fill the void left in their family by the loss of Frankie.”

Also Read

Angela Kane on tracking down ‘Serpent’ serial killer

In the 1970s, Angela Kane investigated serial killer Charles Sobhraj in Bangkok...