By Monica Charsley
Robert Hammond, 47, from Cambridgeshire, was convicted of murdering his wife, Sian, in a calculated attempt to defraud her life insurance company, Legal and General. Footage captured Hammond’s disturbing act as he dialed 999, sobbing and pretending to save his wife after strangling her inside their home in Histon.
Hammond orchestrated the murder to access Sian’s £450,000 life insurance policy. At the time, he was grappling with significant debts. During the emergency call, he feigned shock, claiming he found Sian “face down on the bed.” He told operators, “I’m going to flip her over now… I’m calling ‘Sian, Sian, Sian,’ I’m turning her over now.” He continued with fake distress, saying, “Oh no, Sian. I’m going to try and resuscitate her.” Emergency responders praised his efforts, unaware that he had made no real attempts to help her.
A post-mortem examination revealed signs of strangulation. Data from a fitness device indicated a spike in Hammond’s heart rate during the critical timeframe, suggesting he was engaged in physical activity while claiming to be relaxing on the sofa.
At the time of Sian’s death, Hammond was managing Hammond Mortgage Services, which was burdened with debts totaling around £300,000, primarily owed to Legal and General. On the day of Sian’s death, he asked an agent to contact him later, indicating a potential change in circumstances. A week later, he was still focused on resolving his financial issues, despite his wife’s death.
Hammond continued to make payments on Sian’s life insurance policy until just days before her murder. Detective Inspector Richard Stott emphasized that the investigation revealed Hammond’s dishonesty and financial pressures, ultimately leading him to commit the crime. “His greed and fear of losing his public standing resulted in the tragic murder of his wife,” Stott stated.