Mum found guilty of murder after autistic son killed at home in South Ockendon
Jurors were told Claire Button was suffering with her mental health, and voices in her head told her to kill herself, and her son Lincoln
Last updated 16th Oct 2025
A mother has been found guilty of murder after her autistic son died at home in South Ockendon last December.
Claire Button killed 5-year-old Lincoln Button at their home in Windstar Drive on the afternoon of Sunday 15 December, 2024.
She was also found injured, and was taken to hospital, but later discharged.
The jury were told the 35-year-old had been suffering with her mental health, and that voices had told her to kill Lincoln and herself.
The family burst out of the court room in tears as the verdict was heard - Claire had admitted manslaughter on the grounds of mental illness, but denied murder.
When delivering the verdict, the judge said it's one of the most difficult she's presided over in 30 years.
Ms Button will be sentenced at Basildon Crown Court tomorrow.
Tributes paid to Lincoln
At the time of his death, Lincoln's family released a tribute, describing him as a “beautiful young soul who will be missed every day.
'Link’ was a cherished, loved, sweet, beautiful young soul who was adored by all."
Lincoln was a Year 1 pupil at Bonnygate Primary School, in South Ockendon.
In a statement, the school described him as "A cheeky, smiley, happy boy who was loved fondly by our Bonnygate family." It added:
“His love for school, laughter and cuddles will be remembered and missed dearly."