Katherine Knight's Descent into Cannibalistic Murder and Australia's Shocking Crime

Katherine Knight, labeled Australia's "Hannibal Lecter," committed a horrific crime that cemented her place in criminal history. She brutally murdered her husband, John Price, in a display of extreme violence. The attack involved 37 stab wounds, decapitation, and the cooking of body parts. This led to her becoming the first Australian woman sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

The crime, which occurred in the quiet town of Aberdeen, New South Wales, shocked the community. Knight, a mother of four, carried out the gruesome act, butchering Price and preparing his remains. She boiled his head and hung his body from a meat hook. On February 29, 2000, she planned to serve a meal of Price's cooked remains, plated with cabbage and gravy, to his children upon their return from school.

Former detective Luke Taylor highlighted Knight's history of violence, attributing it to an abusive childhood. He noted the numerous warning signs that were ignored. Knight's violent tendencies were evident prior to the murder. She had previously injured Price, leading him to seek a restraining order, though they later reconciled. Knight claimed to have suffered severe sexual abuse during her youth, which she alleged involved multiple family members.

Knight's violent past included other disturbing incidents. She attempted to strangle her first husband on their wedding night and reportedly injured him with a frying pan. She also killed another partner's dog and attacked him with scissors. Knight's experience as a slaughterhouse worker further amplified the horror of her crime. Price, aware of the potential danger, had confided in his workmates, instructing them to contact the police if he failed to appear for work.

Following a particularly heated argument, Price's fears proved tragically accurate. Bloodstains were discovered on Knight's front door, prompting neighbors to alert the authorities. Police found Knight unconscious near Price's body. She was convicted in 2001, and her appeal was rejected in 2006. Former Sergeant Robert Wells described the scene, including the human skin pelt and Price's decapitated and skinned body. The cooked head and prepared plates of cooked remains, intended for Price's children, painted a picture of unimaginable horror. The Supreme Court Justice emphasized the terror Price must have experienced, contrasting it with Knight's enjoyment of the act. Despite the brutality, those who knew the couple described their relationship as seemingly normal.