Ewan Methven Jailed for Life After Brutal Murder of Girlfriend Phoenix Spencer-Horn in East Kilbride

GLASGOW – A man has been sentenced to life in prison for the gruesome murder of his girlfriend, 21-year-old Phoenix Spencer-Horn, at their home in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire.

Ewan Methven, 22, admitted to the violent killing that took place in November 2024 at their shared flat in Glen Lee. The High Court in Glasgow heard shocking details about how Methven choked, stabbed, and decapitated Phoenix, before trying to cover up his crime.

Methven Must Serve at Least 23 Years

On Friday, Judge Lord Matthews handed Methven a life sentence with a minimum of 23 years behind bars. The judge said he had “rarely heard such outpourings of grief” in the victim impact statements.

“You robbed her of life in the cruelest way,” the judge said. “Then you robbed her of dignity in death.”

Methven, who was described as a trusted member of Phoenix’s family, later wrote a letter to the court saying, “I know how loved Phoenix was. I cannot believe I have taken her from them.”

What Happened the Night of the Murder

Prosecutors told the court that Methven, a postman, had complained to Phoenix earlier that day about feeling lonely due to her waitress job. They were last seen by her family eating dinner on November 16.

Later that night, neighbours heard loud noises and rushed footsteps around midnight. That same time, Methven’s phone showed increased movement activity. It was then that he stabbed Phoenix over 20 times, with one fatal wound to the chest. He used three different knives.

Chilling Details of the Crime

After killing her, Methven tried to cut up her body to hide the evidence. He left her mutilated body in the hallway and continued to pretend everything was fine.

For two days, he used her car, scrolled through her phone, searched for pornography over 170 times, and tried to buy cocaine. He also texted her mother, pretending Phoenix was still alive.

Police only discovered her body on November 18, after Methven finally dialled 999.

He told the call operator that he had blacked out and believed drugs had caused a psychotic episode. However, witnesses later told police he seemed sober and calm when seen earlier that evening.

Arrest and Aftermath

When police arrived at the scene, they found Phoenix’s body covered up near blood-stained knives. Methven told police, “I tried to dismember her.” He was described as calm during his arrest.

In court, his lawyer said Methven would now be viewed as the “personification of evil” by Phoenix’s loved ones.

Family Devastated, But Her Legacy Lives On

Phoenix had been in good spirits on the day she died. She had spent time with her mother and was said to be cheerful at work.

Her tragic death led to an outpouring of support online, where a fundraising page gathered thousands to support funeral costs. Much of the money was donated to Women’s Aid, a charity that helps women in abusive situations.

Women’s Aid Glasgow said Phoenix’s name now “stands for action, for refusing to let her story end in silence.”