Robert Rhodes, after avoiding conviction in his initial trial, has now been handed a life sentence for the murder of his wife almost ten years ago. Rhodes successfully concealed his heinous act by involving his young child in covering it up, allowing him to build a new life with a partner significantly younger than him.
Prior to his recent arrest, Rhodes had purchased a nearly £500,000 home with his younger fiancée, who was pregnant with their first child. Despite escaping punishment during his first trial in 2017 by manipulating his child into assisting him, the truth eventually came to light when the child disclosed to a counselor that their father was the true culprit.
The child revealed that both their and Rhodes’ injuries were inflicted as part of a scheme orchestrated by the father to eliminate the mother. The tragic events unfolded on June 2, 2016, when the child, whose identity remains protected, alerted emergency services to the scene in Redhill, Surrey, where Dawn, the victim, was found murdered.
During his retrial, Rhodes’ engagement to Megan Baldwin, 20 years his junior, was highlighted. Megan, who described Rhodes as her ‘soulmate,’ has since been residing with her parents while Rhodes remains in custody, leaving their lavish residence in Withleigh, near Tiverton, unoccupied.
Neighbors described Rhodes as peculiar, noting his ever-changing hair colors and reserved demeanor in the small village community. His occupation as a carpenter and his relocation from Surrey were among the few details known about him, with many expressing surprise at his dark past coming to light.