ADAM BUTT'S BRUTAL MURDER OF AMERICAN WOMAN IN COLCHESTER SHOCKS COMMUNITY

In the early hours of January 17, 2021, a tragic and violent incident unfolded on Laing Road in Colchester, leaving the local community in shock and mourning. Adam Butt, a 23-year-old man residing at Laing Road, was involved in a deadly assault that resulted in the death of his former girlfriend, Mary Wells, a 21-year-old woman originally from the United States. The attack was both premeditated and ferocious, with Butt launching a stabbing spree inside their shared residence.

Police responded swiftly to reports of a disturbance shortly after 5:30 am. Upon arrival, officers found Ms. Wells suffering from multiple stab wounds. Despite their efforts to save her, she was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation revealed that Butt had carried out a brutal attack, stabbing Ms. Wells repeatedly in the chest, abdomen, and neck. During his arrest, Butt was found sitting calmly in the room where the assault took place. In a moment of apparent remorse or confusion, he exclaimed that “it wasn’t her” and claimed that “he was just crazy.”

Later, Butt admitted to the crime, pleading guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. His sentencing took place at Chelmsford Crown Court on July 29. Prosecutor Mark Milliken-Smith QC described the incident as “an absolute tragedy,” emphasizing that the attack was carried out in a “frenzied rage.” The court heard that Butt’s actions were fueled by a combination of substance abuse and a possible psychotic episode. Evidence presented during the trial indicated that Butt had a history of drug use, including acid, MDMA, cannabis, and excessive alcohol consumption prior to the attack, which likely contributed to his mental state at the time.

Mary Wells was born in the United States and had experienced significant family loss, including the death of her mother and grandmother. She had been estranged from her father for several years and was under the care of her grandfather. She traveled to the UK with the intention of visiting and planned to return to the US to attend college. The relationship between Butt and Wells had begun online while he was studying at the University of Essex. Text messages exchanged on the night of the murder revealed disturbing hostility from Butt towards women, with statements such as “women were evil” and “women are scared to die,” alongside claims that “we are about to suffer for eternity.”

The judge highlighted that Butt’s drug use and mental health issues significantly contributed to his violent actions. He was deemed a “significant risk” to others, a danger that was expected to persist into the future. As a result, Butt was sentenced to a hospital order and a life imprisonment term, with a minimum of 10 years before he could be considered for parole. The court’s decision underscores the brutality of the attack and the apparent psychotic state that Butt was in during the incident, leaving a lasting impact on the community of Colchester.