Karen Vamplew has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of her disabled mother-in-law, Elizabeth Vamplew, who died in a fire set in her own bed at her Newark bungalow on 15 December 2021.
The 77-year-old Elizabeth, who had limited mobility and poor health, died from burns and smoke inhalation after Karen deliberately set fire to her bed while she was likely asleep. The fire was described as “catastrophic” and led to the tragic death of a vulnerable woman.
Karen, 44, was found guilty of murder following a trial at Leicester Crown Court. The court heard that Karen had significant debts and set the fire in a bid to inherit Elizabeth’s estate. Investigations revealed that Karen had access to Elizabeth’s bank account and had been spending money on herself and her family, which led her to attempt to get a block on the account lifted just before the fire.
On the day of the fire, Elizabeth’s bank had restricted access to her account, but Karen accompanied her mother-in-law to the bank in an apparent attempt to remove the block. The next day, Elizabeth was found dead in the fire, which investigators later determined could only have been caused by a direct flame applied to her bed.
Karen had initially been arrested two days after the fire but was not charged until further evidence emerged, leading to her rearrest on 27 September. A thorough investigation, including CCTV analysis, confirmed her movements around the time of the fire, providing damning evidence of her involvement.
After deliberation, the jury found Karen guilty of murder. She was sentenced to life in prison and must serve a minimum of 32 years before being eligible for parole.
Detective Chief Inspector Clare Dean, who led the investigation, praised the hard work of the investigation team, highlighting the cruelty of Karen’s actions. The sentence, while ending a long legal process, will never erase the pain felt by Elizabeth’s family, who showed incredible strength throughout the ordeal.