The Tragic Case of Marcus Osborne: He Fatally Stabbed His Ex-partner 99 Times, Then Mutilated Her New Lover
Warning: Graphic Content Below
This was tragically evident in the case of Marcus Osborne, a 35-year-old man from Huddersfield, England, as reported by BBC.
His pathological jealousy led to the brutal murders of his ex-partner, Katie Higton, and her new boyfriend, Steven Harnett, in May 2023.
Crime scene investigations revealed a horrifying level of violence, with Osborne inflicting 99 stab wounds on Higton and mutilating Harnett’s body.
Additionally, the local police department faced scrutiny for their handling of the case, as Higton had reported her fears just days before the fatal attack
Let's get into it.
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Katie Higton and Steven Harnett |
Background of the Case
Marcus Osborne, 35, and Katie Higton, 27, had been in a relationship for five years before it turned abusive.
Friends of Higton described her as initially “fun, bubbly, and independent,” but over time, she became visibly subdued and unhappy.
Osborne’s behavior reportedly grew increasingly coercive and controlling, dictating what she could wear, how she used social media, and who she could associate with.
The relationship reached a breaking point in late April 2023, when Osborne violently assaulted Higton, leaving her unable to move for several days.
This incident prompted Higton to leave him, a decision she was proud of and determined to uphold.
She vowed never to return to the relationship, seeking to rebuild her life independently.
However, Osborne’s behavior did not improve.
He became fixated on Higton, monitoring her movements and threatening her when he discovered she was seeing someone new.
He hacked into her Snapchat account, where he learned about her developing relationship with Steven Harnett, 25.
Osborne responded with rage, warning Higton that if she ever got another boyfriend, he would “kill them both.”
He also threatened to “slit her throat” if she spoke out about his ongoing abuse with anyone.
On May 10, 2023, just five days before the deadly attack, Higton visited the local police department to report Osborne’s threats and violent behavior.
She detailed his history of domestic violence, including the recent assault that had left her incapacitated.
Despite her clear and urgent warnings, Osborne was only briefly arrested on May 12 on suspicion of domestic violence.
He was released on bail with conditions to not return to Higton’s home or contact her.
In the days following his release, Osborne continued to monitor Higton, using neighbors to spy on her activities.
His obsession with her newfound independence and relationship with Harnett grew, setting the stage for the tragedy that unfolded on May 15, 2023.
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| Katie Higton |
The Deadly Attack
On the evening of May 15, 2023, Marcus Osborne carried out a brutal and calculated attack that shocked the community of Huddersfield.
Armed with a knife, Osborne forced his way into the home he had once shared with his ex-partner, Katie Higton.
After breaking in, he hid himself and waited for her, knowing that she would soon return from a movie date with her new boyfriend, Steven Harnett.
When Higton stepped through the door, Osborne launched his deadly assault without warning.
He stabbed her repeatedly, inflicting a total of 99 knife wounds in a frenzied attack, as reported by The Guardian.
Additionally, he slashed her face 26 times during the attack, which prosecutors later described as an attempt to disfigure her as well as kill her.
Despite being overpowered, Higton fought back courageously, but the sheer ferocity of Osborne’s assault left her with no chance of survival.
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| Steven Harnett |
After killing Higton, Osborne used her phone to lure Steven Harnett, 25, to the house.
When Harnett arrived, Osborne attacked him with the same brutality, stabbing him 24 times.
After the assault, Osborne mutilated Harnett by cutting his genitals, in what was described as a sadistic and merciless act.
During the attack, Osborne held another woman captive in the house, raping her at knifepoint and keeping her imprisoned overnight.
Four children were also present in the property at the time, but thankfully, Osborne didn't harm any of them.
After the killings, Osborne moved the bodies of Higton and Harnett, placing them side by side.
Shockingly, he then invited a neighbor into the house to show them the lifeless bodies, seemingly proud of what he had done.
Witnesses reported that Osborne appeared calm and even laughed as he made chilling statements like, “Romeo and Juliet can die together now.”
Osborne later turned himself into the local police department, but by then, the damage was irreversible.
After crime scene investigators arrived at the property, they described the scene as one of the most brutal they had ever encountered, with evidence of extreme violence and premeditation.
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| Marcus Osborne |
Legal Proceedings: Marcus Osborne's Trial and Sentencing
After his arrest, Marcus Osborne faced multiple charges, including two counts of murder, rape, and false imprisonment, as reported by Sky News
He pleaded guilty to all charges, sparing the families of the victims the ordeal of a prolonged trial.
During the sentencing hearing, Prosecutor Jonathan Sandiford KC described Osborne’s actions as “premeditated, brutal, and motivated by sexual jealousy.”
The court heard how Osborne had meticulously planned the attack, from hacking Higton’s Snapchat account to luring Harnett to the scene.
Ultimately, Judge Mrs. Justice Lambert KC, who presided over the case, delivered a sentence that reflected the severity of Osborne’s actions.
She described the murders as “horrific” and noted that they were driven by “pathological jealousy” and a desire to exert control over Higton.
Judge Lambert stated, “This is a case of such exceptional seriousness that even a very long minimum term would not be a just punishment.”
In a rare and decisive move, Marcus Osborne was handed a whole-life prison term, meaning he will never be released.
In England and Whales, this sentence is reserved for the most heinous crimes and is only imposed in cases where the court deems the offender to pose an ongoing threat to society.
Judge Lambert emphasized that Osborne’s actions placed him among the “most extreme cases” she had encountered, warranting the most severe punishment available under British law.
In addition to the life sentence, Osborne received a 10-year concurrent sentence for the rape and false imprisonment of the woman he held captive.
These sentences were designed to reflect the totality of his crimes and ensure that justice was served for all victims.
The sentencing brought a measure of closure to the families of Higton and Harnett, who had endured unimaginable pain and loss.
While no legal outcome could fully compensate for their suffering, the court’s decision ensured that Osborne would never again pose a threat to society.
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