A 71-year-old transgender woman has been found to have unlawfully killed her husband after attacking him with a samurai sword more than 50 times at their Brighton apartment in May 2024.
Joanna Rowland-Stuart fatally wounded her 70-year-old husband, Andrew Rowland-Stuart, in what jurors at Lewes Crown Court determined was an unlawful act. A psychiatric evaluation deemed her mentally unfit to enter a plea, so the court proceeded with a “trial of the act”—a legal process focused on whether she committed the physical act, not on her intent or mental state at the time.
The jury concluded that Rowland-Stuart did carry out the killing. She has since been detained indefinitely under a Hospital Order, in accordance with Section 41 of the Mental Health Act 1983.
The couple had been in a civil partnership since 2006 and lived together in a high-rise flat on the 15th floor.
During the proceedings, Prosecutor Charlotte Newell KC stated, “Regardless of the motive, the extensive and brutal nature of the wounds clearly exceeded any reasonable force.”
Footage from a doorbell camera showed Rowland-Stuart with blood on her legs and abdomen, knocking on neighbors’ doors while yelling for help and saying, “Andy’s dead.”
While speaking to emergency services, Rowland-Stuart claimed that Andrew had attacked her with the sword and that she had turned the weapon on him during the struggle. However, forensic evidence suggested otherwise—her injuries were consistent with someone who had been wielding the weapon, not defending themselves.
Police found the scene covered in blood, with splatters on walls, furniture, and even the shower. The sword, which had been purchased in the 1980s, was found back in its sheath.
Investigators also discovered that Rowland-Stuart had searched online for swords in the weeks leading up to the incident, including terms like “replica swords,” “curved swords,” and “Japanese sword names.”
In a statement, Andrew’s family expressed gratitude to those who supported them during the case, especially Detective Constable Anna Stacey and members of the Sussex 4×4 group, including a friend named Jason.
Detective Chief Inspector Alex Campbell of Sussex Police said, “Our thoughts continue to be with Andrew’s family. We are grateful to everyone who contributed to this challenging investigation.”
