Man Jailed for Life After Killing Partner and Hiding Her Body for Days
A 62-year-old Plymouth man has been locked up for life after brutally murdering his partner and hiding her body in their flat for over a week, Devon & Cornwall Police have confirmed.
Mark Fitzgerald Gets Minimum 22 Years for Murder of Lisa Paris
Mark Fitzgerald was sentenced to at least 22 years behind bars for the murder of 54-year-old Lisa Paris. Her body was found in Fitzgerald’s Stonehouse flat on the night of 18 March 2024, after he staged a scene pretending she was unconscious and called neighbours for help.
But forensic evidence revealed the grim truth: Lisa had likely been dead for up to 10 days, concealed under blankets and bedding. Her body showed 70 bruises across her head, neck, arms, legs, and body.
Dark History of Abuse and Neglect Comes to Light
The court heard the couple shared a troubled eight-year relationship, living in adjoining flats on Rendle Street. Lisa, a devoted mother-of-four, mainly lived with Fitzgerald, caring for him through his health struggles and alcohol addiction.
- Witnesses described Fitzgerald as abusive and violent.
- He had a previous conviction in 2020 for stabbing Lisa with a knife.
- Lisa’s health had seriously declined in the months before her death.
Disturbing Clues Reveal True Horror of Lisa’s Final Days
CCTV footage last showed Lisa taking out rubbish on the evening of 8 March. The next day, a maintenance worker spotted something suspicious — what looked like a body hidden under a quilt in Fitzgerald’s flat. When questioned, Fitzgerald aggressively claimed someone was just asleep.
Neighbours said Lisa “went off in a mood” after an argument on 16 March. Two days later, on 18 March, they heard Fitzgerald shouting for help, claiming Lisa wasn’t breathing and calling an ambulance.
Paramedics arrived to find a neighbour giving CPR while Fitzgerald sat disinterested on his sofa, counting cash. He said he had just woken up after two days’ sleep due to heavy drinking.
Police Condemn Fitzgerald’s Callous Actions
Fitzgerald denied any responsibility during police interviews but was convicted at Plymouth Crown Court. Detective Inspector Neil Blanchard slammed the killer:
“We welcome today’s sentence for Fitzgerald, a dangerous individual who has never admitted or shown remorse for his unforgivable and callous actions.”
“I want to pay tribute to Lisa’s family who have suffered an unimaginable loss but acted with great patience and dignity. I hope today’s outcome brings them some peace.”
Lisa’s tragic death highlights the brutal reality and devastating impact of domestic abuse and neglect.
