Woman, 38, ‘trained in human dissection decapitated friend, 67, then dumped body 200 miles away in row over money’

A WOMAN trained in human dissection killed and beheaded her friend then dumped the body 200 miles away, a court heard today.

Jemma Mitchell, 38, allegedly murdered 67-year-old Mee Kuen Chong, who was known as Deborah, in a row over money.

She then moved her body 200 miles away to Salcombe, Devon, in a large blue suitcase before dumping her headless corpse in woodland, jurors heard.

Mee was reported missing from her home in Wembley, North London, on June 11 with her body discovered by holidaymakers in Devon 17 days later.

The Old Bailey was told police were called and Mee's head was found around 10metres further down the hill in undergrowth.

A post mortem was carried out but a cause of death could not be determined due to decomposition, it was said.

But jurors heard how the torso appeared to have been cut and there were signs of assault - including a skull fracture that suggested "significant impact by a blunt object very shortly before death".

The court was told Mitchell befriended Mee through church but they had recently "fallen out" over money.

On the day Mee vanished, Mitchell was allegedly captured on CCTV walking from her friend's home with two suitcases.

Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC said: "The larger of the two was obviously very heavy and difficult to manoeuvre.

"It is the prosecution case that it contained the body of Mee Kuen Chong."

Mitchell then allegedly travelled to Salcombe on June 26 in a rented grey Volvo.

The vehicle was seen on CCTV driving towards the woodland where Mee's body was found the next day, it was said.

Jurors heard how Mitchell studied Human Sciences at Kings College London where she gained a first class degree and a special prize for anatomical excellence.

She went on to study osteopathy in Australia and her professional website stated that as a result of her training she was "attuned to subjects in neuroanatomy, genetics and dissection of human cadavers".

The court was told at the time of Mee's death, Mitchell was living at the family home in Brent, which was in a state of disrepair.

Mee had allegedly discussed with her friend her will and who would inherit her home if she died.

She is said to have told Mitchell: "I am honoured to have you as my sister, accept me as your friend and advise me…"

Jurors were told she agreed to hand over £200,000 to help with Mitchell's house repairs but later had a change of heart.

The trial continues.