A British expatriate, Michael Whitbread, has admitted to killing his partner, Michele Faiers, in their home in the Italian village of Verratti. Whitbread, 75, confessed that he lost his temper due to Faiers’ “obsessive jealousy” which led to daily verbal and physical abuse. He apologized in court for stabbing Faiers to death in October 2023 after she wrongly accused him of having an affair with another expat woman.

During the trial in Lanciano, Whitbread expressed regret for his actions, stating, “I wish I hadn’t done it and I apologize.” He explained that he had asked Faiers to kill him with a knife he took from the kitchen, but an argument ensued, resulting in her death. Faiers, 66, was found with seven knife wounds to her back on the bed they shared, discovered by a friend.

After the incident, Whitbread fled to his daughter’s home in Shepshed, Leicestershire, where he was arrested by British police and extradited to Italy for trial. Faiers, a divorced mother of three, had moved to Verratti with Whitbread, a retired IT consultant, three years prior to her death. Her suspicions of infidelity led to what Whitbread’s lawyer described as “daily verbal and physical oppression.”

Psychiatric testimony revealed that Whitbread was suffering from acute mood swings and depression, worsened by heavy alcohol consumption. He had previously attempted suicide in March 2023. Following Faiers’ death, Whitbread wrote letters of apology to her adult daughters, acknowledging his responsibility for the tragedy.

The trial was adjourned until February 7th as the court deliberates on the case. Whitbread’s admission of guilt has been seen as a step towards closure for Faiers’ family and friends, emphasizing the importance of taking responsibility from both a legal and personal perspective.