The psychologically unstable son of a Dawlish church leader killed her by filming himself dismembering her body.
Bradley Huggins repeatedly attacked Hazel Huggins, inflicting severe injuries. He later claimed that he was “enjoying” the stabbing.
In July 2023, Hazel went to her son’s flat in Plymouth to clean it, but he attacked and killed her instead.
Guy Huggins, the 53-year-old widow of Mrs. Huggins of Ashcombe Road, Dawlish, is her surviving spouse. In a heartfelt statement, he expressed his love and forgiveness for Bradley Huggins.
Her tragic passing, he claimed, had affected hundreds of people both globally and in their Christian neighbourhood of Dawlish, where they were residents.While expressing hope that his son’s health might improve, he condemned the mental health treatment he had gotten in the previous five years.
According to him, the family feels “let down” and hopes he won’t be released until he recovers, not because someone else needs his bed or because financial strain is putting too much strain on them.
According to Mr. Huggins, his wife, a church leader, was a “bright shining light” who was adored and whose impact will endure.
Huggins, 25, of Ilbert Street, Plymouth, accepted manslaughter due to diminished responsibility. Judge Peter Johnson of Plymouth Crown Court ruled that Huggins will be permanently committed to a mental health facility.
It was a “sustained and brutal attack,” the judge declared, adding, “you are clearly dangerous.”
He claimed that Huggins was suffering from delusions at the time of the killing, believing his mother was working with the gang to expose him as a paedophile and that he was being pursued by them.
“Your mother loved you and was assisting you in leading an independent life,” he remarked. She was undoubtedly a beautiful woman, a mother, a wife, and a devoted friend.
The judge complimented the Huggins family on their respectful demeanour in court and offered his sympathy.
Psychiatrists informed the judge Huggins is prone to retaliation because of his ongoing psychotic mental condition and his history of killing.
Hazel Huggins was slain after going to the flat to assist her son in cleaning it, according to prosecutor Christopher Quinlan KC. Guy Huggins had come back to fetch her but was unable to gain in.
He was “sorry” and assured his son it was “very peaceful” while his father was screaming at the door in “absolute terror and sheer helplessness.”
Huggins had repeatedly stabbed his mother, causing 11 centimetre deep cuts to her neck, chest, back, and belly. He had also chopped off her right ear and severed her left ear.
Huggins responded, “My mother wanted to die and apologised for her sins, I don’t feel bad,” according to Mr. Quinlan. He recorded the attack for 150 seconds on his phone, and the cops discovered another recording of him “desecrating his mother.”
In police interviews, he claimed that the money dispute was what set off his initial stabbing of her in the back, and he claimed to have loved it as his mother cried, “You are killing me.”
The court heard that Huggins’s mental disorder may have worsened when he started consuming cannabis when he was 13 or 14.
“Bradley has expressed his remorse for his actions that day and when he is truly well, he will have to live with the knowledge of his actions for the rest of his life,” said Miss Joanna Martin KC, the defence attorney.
Police in Devon and Cornwall released a statement detailing the precise times of the killing.
Huggins thought he had a contagious infection, so he requested his mother to help thoroughly clean his flat. Her spouse picked her up around 4 p.m., but he dropped her off at about 11.30 a.m.
Two 999 calls were received by police that afternoon. Bradley Huggins made the first at 4:11 p.m., speaking in a low voice, cursing, and not being very clear.
Guy Huggins contacted 999 four minutes later, worried about his wife, whom he had been unable to reach since 3.40 p.m. After driving to the apartment, he received no response.
Additionally, Mr. Huggins began to receive WhatsApp messages from his son apologising and advising him to contact the police. when making a 999 call. In other messages, his son described how his mother was “passing peacefully” and mentioned that he was carrying blades for “self-defense.”
Bradley Huggins had called police at the same time after making an ambiguous 999 call. That’s when he admitted to killing the person.
When armed police broke down the door, they discovered Mrs. Huggins had been gravely wounded.
Bradley Huggins was standing at the window, his hood up, his medical mask on, and there was the knife on a coffee table in the living room.
He confessed to the police that he had slain his mother after being taken into custody on suspicion of murder.
A murder investigation was started by detectives from the Force Major Crime Investigation Team.
Huggins acknowledged his acts in full and forthright during the police interview, stating that there had been conflict between him and his mother “over a mixture of things.”
Mrs. Huggins’s announcement that he would not be receiving whatever money he believed was his was what set off the attack.
After losing his cool, he turned on her, grabbing a knife and assaulting her first in the bedroom doorway and then the kitchen one.
Mrs. Huggins died from eleven stab wounds to her neck, chest, and abdomen, according to the results of a post mortem.
“This is a terribly sad and tragic case, and our thoughts remain very much with family members who have acted with grace and dignity throughout the investigation,” Major Crime Investigation Team Detective Inspector Neil Blanchard stated.
After consulting with independent mental health professionals and the CPS, it was determined that Huggins was suffering from schizophrenia at the time of his mother’s attack and death.
“I hope today’s outcome brings some peace to the family and I would like to thank the investigation team for their diligence and hard work on this case.”
In honour of Hazel, Mr. Huggins spoke for the family. “We continue to grapple with the profound loss of our beloved Hazel, my amazing wife and mother to my two sons,” he stated after Brad Huggins’ sentencing today.
She was a beloved friend and member of our extended family, a lighthouse of love, kindness, joy, and faith in our neighbourhood and beyond. As she practiced her Christian religion, Hazel’s beautiful spirit touched the lives of many.
We saw proof today for the first time, which will take some time for us to digest while we grieve. The incidents of July 29, 2023, will always be remembered as a day of unspeakable horror.
Not only has Hazel’s passing affected our personal family, but also our wider circle of friends, neighbours, coworkers, and the global religion community.
The outpouring of support from both local and distant sources has been incredibly consoling at this extremely painful period.
“Severe mental illness was the cause of Brad’s actions.”
We discover that we have a terrible connection to an excessive number of families that have experienced comparable losses, either from mentally ill family members or from individuals who are strangers but are known to have significant mental health issues.
Hazel could not have done more to support and assist Brad; she loved him and fought for him.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Join the Dots Solutions, Victim Support, our police family liaison officers, Devon and Cornwall Police, and the CPS for their constant support and dedication during this tragedy.
“I don’t know how people who don’t have faith get through tragedies and events like this.” We find solace and strength in our Christian faith, as well as in the outpouring of prayers and solidarity from people all around the world, amidst our profound sadness.
‘We chose to forgive my eldest son Brad and to fight for him to obtain the medical attention and support that he so desperately needs. Hazel’s loss will never be forgotten and has touched many people. Hazel was and will always be a radiant light that is adored by many. I miss her so dearly since she was not just my wife but also my soul mate.
