Heartbroken son of murdered Sarah Wellgreen calls for killer to reveal where her body is

8 November 2019, 15:56

The son of a woman who was murdered by her former partner said the murderer should never be released from life imprisonment, unless he admits where her body is.

Ben Lacomba has been sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of murdering mother of five Sarah Wellgreen.

Her body has never been found, despite thorough searches.

Speaking outside Woolwich Crown Court, her son Lewis Burdett, said: "On 10th October last year my beautiful mother Sarah Jane Wellgreen was murdered by her ex-partner Ben Lacomba, the father of the three youngest children.

"The body has never been recovered, despite extensive searches both by Kent Police and volunteers from the local community.

Lewis Burdett said because Ben Lacomba "refused to admit his guilt" or "cooperate with the police", her family has been "unable to mourn her passing or lay her to rest in peace", whilst the location of her body remains unknown.

"Her three youngest children have been left without a mother or father and their young lives destroyed," he added.

Mr Burdett continued: "Today as far as the law is concerned, justice has been served for Sarah.

He said the family hopes Mr Lacomba will never be released unless he "admits his guilt and reveals the location of her grave."

Mr Burdett added: "As a family, we miss Sarah every day. There's no bandage big enough to repair the wounds.

"We will not allow Ben Lacomba to destroy our lives.

He said that the family's priority is to give Sarah's three youngest children "every opportunity to be the best they can be, and be able to have a full and happy life, knowing their mother loved them.

"She will not be there to congratulate their achievements, or to console them on their disappointments, but we will be there every step of the way for them," he said.

Lacomba was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 27 years.

46-year-old beautician Sarah Wellgreen had been living a "happy life with much to look forward to" but disappeared without a trace in October 2018.

During the trial, the jury had heard that in October 2018, the couple were living under the same roof, in New Ash Green, Kent, despite splitting in 2014.

Ms Wellgreen had made plans to take out a new mortgage and it "appears that potential loss of that family home, that property, and his children motivated his (Lacomba's) actions", the court heard.