Woman jailed for 8 years for killing elderly mother on Christmas Day in Devizes
Stefania Glowka, 64, was cleared of murder at Bristol Crown Court and has now been sentenced for manslaughter
Last updated 9th Jun 2026
A woman has been jailed for 8 years for killing her elderly mother on Christmas Day last year at their home in Devizes.
Stefania Glowka, 64, had previously denied murdering Tamara Glowka, 86, but pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility.
Stefania was acquitted of murder at Bristol Crown Court today (June 9) and sentenced to eight years in prison for manslaughter, of which she must service two-thirds.
The incident happened on Christmas morning last year (2025) and just after 8:10am police received a call from Stefania reporting that she had strangled her mother, and had made attempts to harm herself.
When officers arrived at the scene in Keepers Road, Devizes Tamara was sadly found dead.
Stefania was arrested on suspicion of murder and was taken to hospital to be treated for her injuries, which were found not to be life-changing.
She was later charged with murder.
During Glowka’s trial, the court heard she had been the primary carer for her mother, who she lived and shared a bedroom with.
A jury was told Glowka said she wanted to “let her mum go” after both women experienced a deterioration in their mental health.
Simon Jones, prosecuting, said: “Tamara Glowka was 86-years old when she was strangled with a belt in what was a very deliberate act of violence.
“The plan had ultimately been for the defendant, Ms Glowka, to commit suicide after killing her mother.
“That suicide attempt failed and the subsequent police investigation into events that day (the prosecution say) has established a tragic but determined murder.”
Mr Jones told the court Glowka had prepared her mother’s favourite meal on Christmas Eve and spent a “nice evening” with her, before they both went to bed.
Glowka, who never married or had children of her own, would later tell police she was the sole carer for her mother, who had suffered a decline in her mental and physical health and had recently been diagnosed with schizophrenia.
The court heard Glowka struggled to sleep that night and felt she had no energy to continue to care for her mother.
Glowka later told the police it was a “spur of the moment” decision to strangle her using a belt as she rose from her bed to use the bathroom in the early hours of the morning.
The court heard Glowka laid next to her deceased mother and attempted to take her own life.
Despite losing consciousness for some time, she later awoke and phoned the police to explain what had happened.
In the call, she said she had been the sole carer for her mother over a period of 17 years and described herself as being “at the end of my road”.
When officers arrived at the property, Glowka directed them to a box containing documents including a letter addressed to a close friend, in which she said: “I killed my mum as I cannot continue to look after her and I love her too much to put her into an institutionalised care.
“I also cannot envisage life on my own, old age and inevitable health issues.”
The jury was told two psychiatrists had assessed Glowka and believed she was suffering from a recurrent depressive disorder.
Following today’s verdict, investigating officer DS Chris Hughes from Wiltshire Police's Major Crime Investigation Team said: “This is an incredibly sad incident in which an elderly woman has lost her life on Christmas morning.
“I’d like to thank and pay tribute to all the officers who attended this incident, as well as the various staff from our partner agencies.
“It can’t have been easy on a day which revolves around family, but they dealt with this incident with the usual professionalism, care and diligence.”