Ewan Methven, 36, stabbed Phoenix Spencer-Horn, 21, 20 times in the chest before decapitating her body and texting her mother, pretending to be her
East Kilbride murder victim, Phoenix Spencer (Image: undefined)
A postman who gruesomely beheaded his girlfriend and chillingly texted her mother has been sentenced to life imprisonment.
Ewan Methven is set to serve at least 23 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to the brutal murder of his 21 year old girlfriend Phoenix Spencer-Horn. Methven committed the heinous act in their shared home on November 16 last year.
He confessed to decapitating Phoenix’s body and deceitfully texting her mother, masquerading as her daughter. The High Court in Glasgow was told that the murder occurred after the couple had ordered a takeaway to their flat on a Saturday evening.
Earlier that day, Methven, employed by Royal Mail as a postman, had expressed to his girlfriend that her waitress job left him feeling “lonely”, while she had sent messages to her mother, Alison Spencer, around 9.37pm, indicating they were having dinner, reports the Mirror.
In the dead of night, Methven launched a vicious attack on Miss Spencer-Horn with three knives, stabbing her 20 times and then mutilating her body, including severing her head, the court learned.
Over the weekend, Methven used Miss Spencer-Horn’s red Corsa, browsed through her phone, looked up internet pornography, and made several attempts to purchase cocaine, the prosecution detailed.
Prosecutor Christopher McKenna stated: “The accused murdered his girlfriend, Phoenix Spencer-Horn, in the top-floor flat they shared. Late on Saturday November 16, he strangled her and stabbed her. He dialled 999, but not until November 18.
“Her mutilated and decapitated body was discovered only on November 18.”
Mr McKenna stated: “The police retrieved text messages exchanged between the accused and Phoenix, in which he expressed feelings of loneliness due to her work schedule and apologised.”
According to testimony presented in court, a food order was placed around 8pm, and Methven did not appear intoxicated to the delivery driver. However, during a 999 call, Methven asserted that the murder occurred during a psychotic episode triggered by the combined consumption of cocaine, alcohol, and steroids.
The previous week, Methven entered a guilty plea for both the murder and attempting to obstruct justice.
A 26-year-old man has been arrested and charged following the death of a woman in Glen Lee, East Kilbride.Around 12.10pm on Monday, 18 November, 2024, the body of Phoenix Spencer-Horn, 21, was found within a flat on Glen Lee. Her family is aware.Image: Police Scotlandhttps://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=980129680807647&set=a.301953891958566&locale=en_GB (Image: UGC)
On November 18, Miss Spencer-Horn failed to attend work and was unreachable. Around noon, Methven placed a 999 call, informing the operator: “I had a psychotic break and killed my wife.”
He elaborated: “We were messing about, I take steroids and was taking cocaine and alcohol, I think there was something else in it… it was f****** horrible.”
Upon being transferred to a senior police officer, Methven expressed: “I just want to go to jail,” and added: “I’m not violent. I have been out my face, I can’t remember what happened. I have been driving about all weekend.”
Emergency responders discovered Miss Spencer-Horn’s mutilated body concealed beneath a towel. Methven confessed to attempting to dismember her body using a knife or another instrument.
Pathologists hypothesise that Miss Spencer-Horn might have been assaulted in the bathroom before being dragged into the hallway. Additionally, a bloodied knife was found in the bedroom, as revealed in court.
A post-mortem examination on 19 November determined that the cause of death was a stab wound to the chest.
Undated handout photo issued by Police Scotland of Ewan Methven. Ewan Methven, now 27, has admitted murdering and decapitating his 21-year-old girlfriend before texting her mother pretending to be her and searching for internet pornography. Methven murdered Phoenix Spencer-Horn, 21, in the home they shared on November 16 last year, after the couple ordered a takeaway to their flat in Glen Lee, East Kilbride on a Saturday night. On Tuesday, Methven pleaded guilty to murder and attempting to defeat the ends of justice at the High Court in Glasgow. Issue date: Tuesday June 17, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story COURTS Methven. Photo credit should read: Police Scotland/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder. (Image: PA)
Representing the defendant, Tony Graham KC stated Methven had desired to plead guilty in order to “provide closure”. Mr Graham continued: “Those related to Phoenix, those who were her friends, and society at large, are likely to regard him as the personification of evil.
“He knows those who are related to Phoenix will never forgive him, as he will never forgive himself. He can’t provide an explanation.”
Judge Lord Matthews remarked: “You pleaded guilty to an appalling crime, the only punishment for which is life imprisonment.”
Detective Chief Inspector Susie Cairns reflected: “My thoughts remain with Phoenix’s family and friends as they continue to try to come to terms with what happened. Methven now faces the consequences of his actions.
“Violence such as this is never acceptable in our communities, and we will work tirelessly to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”
