Amy Pugh Found Guilty of Murdering Estranged Husband Kyle Pugh in Shropshire
NEWPORT, Shropshire — A woman who falsely claimed her husband took his own life has been found guilty of his murder following a dramatic trial at Stafford Crown Court.
Amy Pugh, 34, of Stafford Road, Wolverhampton, was convicted on Thursday, June 12, of murdering her estranged husband, Kyle Pugh, 30, at their former family home on Aston Drive, Newport, on the evening of March 22, 2022.
The court heard that Amy had attacked Kyle during a violent altercation in the kitchen after learning that his new partner might be pregnant. Although Kyle had gone to the home to visit his children, the situation escalated into a fatal confrontation.
Instead of seeking immediate help, Pugh called her father before contacting emergency services approximately 20 minutes later, during which she falsely told the 999 operator that her husband had taken his own life. Audio from the call captured her theatrically crying out, “Kyle, wake up, why have you done this?”
Kyle Pugh was found with neck compression, a fractured nose, and a broken eye socket, injuries inconsistent with suicide. Paramedics briefly revived him, but he died the following day at Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, surrounded by family.
Prosecutor Julian Evans KC described Pugh’s suicide story as a “complete fiction,” arguing she deliberately manipulated Kyle’s past mental health struggles to cover up a premeditated assault.
The jury deliberated for over 11 hours before returning a guilty verdict for murder. Amy Pugh showed visible shock, placing her hands to her mouth upon hearing the verdict.
The court was told the couple had a long-standing volatile and violent relationship, marked by heavy drinking, drug use, and mutual physical abuse. Amy testified that she had endured severe injuries during the marriage but admitted that she began to physically retaliate as the violence worsened.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 5, where Pugh faces a potential life sentence.
