TRAGIC TALE
Who was Joanna Simpson and what happened to her?
And how her family have campaigned to keep her killer behind bars
JOANNA SIMPSON was just 46 years old when she was brutally killed by her estranged husband.
The mother-of-two died in her home just days before she was due to divorce her ex, former BA pilot Robert Brown.
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Who was Joanna Simpson?
Before her tragic death, Joanna Simpson enjoyed a successful career running a five-star bed and breakfast business.
She was raised on the Isle of Man and studied at Bath University.
I worry for everybody because this man is not safe... I think he will stop at nothing and we will be constantly looking over our shoulders.
Joanna's Mother Diana Parkes on Robert Brown
Joanna married pilot Robert Brown in 1999 and the former couple went on to welcome two children together.
Their son, Alex, was born in 1999, and he was then joined by little sister Kate in 2001.
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After her children were born, Joanna gave up her career to become a full-time mother.
What happened to Joanna Simpson?
On Halloween night 2010 Joanna was killed by Robert at their family home in Ascot as their two children played nearby.
Joanna, who had split from Robert and was due to have her divorce from him finalised the week after her death, was attacked over the head with a hammer.
Robert then placed his estranged wife's body into the boot of his car and buried her in a pre-dug grave.
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Joanna's death followed a sustained period of domestic abuse which included coercive control, isolation, intimidation and severe violence.
In the years since she was killed, the Joanna Simpson Foundation has been set up in her memory.
Joanna Simpson - Family campaigns to keep her killer Robert Brown behind bars as he faces automatic release at the end of the year
The foundation's work is based on Joanna's beliefs and values.
According to the charity's , the foundation works to help victims of crime ";get the justice they deserve" and help them "move on from these traumatic events".
In 2023 Netflix documentary When Missing Turns to Murder, Joanna's mother Diana Parkes said that Alex and Kate, who were nine and ten when their mum died, heard Joanna being killed.
She also revealed that she was the person who had to tell the children about their mother's death, saying: "I had the job of telling the children that mummy had been found and she hadn't survived."
She added: "It was the worst day of my life obviously. It was terrible."
Joanna's children lived with their grandmother on the Isle of Wight after their mother's death.
Where is Joanna's husband Robert Brown now?
Robert was acquitted of murder in May 2011 but was found guilty of manslaughter due to diminished responsibility at Reading crown court.
He was sentenced to 24 years for manslaughter and a further two years for an offence of obstructing a coroner in the execution of his duty.
Robert initially refused to help police with their missing persons investigation and only confessed to killing Joanna, and where her body was buried, later.
The killer became eligible for parole in November 2023 after serving 13 years of his 26-year term.
The decision sparked fury from Joanna's family and campaigners, including Carrie Johnson, wife of ex-PM Boris Johnson.
Joanna's mother launched an appeal in The Sun to block Robert's release, saying in February 2023 that she was convinced he would find a way to hurt her and her grandchildren if he was set free.
She said: ''I worry for everybody because this man is not safe.
"I think he will stop at nothing and we will be constantly looking over our shoulders. Let common sense please rule the day.
"This man is not fit to be let out. He should stay in jail for at least his full sentence.''
Ms Parkes also met with Justice Secretary Alex Chalk in a bid to stop her daughter's killer from being released.
In October 2023 it was confirmed that Robert would stay behind bars after the Justice Secretary blocked his automatic release.
Chalk said at the time: "Joanna Simpson was bludgeoned and buried at the hands of Robert Brown, which left two children without a mother and caused irreparable harm to her family and loved ones.
"I made a commitment to Joanna's family that I would give this case my closest personal attention.
"Having reviewed all the information available to me, I have blocked Brown's automatic release and referred this case to the parole board using powers we introduced to protect the public from the most dangerous offenders."
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Robert challenged the decision in February 2024, with his lawyer claiming that proper policy was not followed because of the high-profile nature of the case.
As of February 2024, a ruling is expected at a later date.
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