Man to Stand Trial After His Wife’s Body Was Found in a Freezer

A man accused of murdering his wife after her body was discovered inside a freezer is set to stand trial later this year.

David Barraclough, 45, has been charged with the murder of his wife Carolann “Caz” Barraclough. He appeared at Leeds Crown Court via video link from HMP Leeds, where a provisional trial date of October 5 was set.

Carolann’s body was found at her home on Ken Churchill Drive, Wakefield, on Thursday, March 5, after police responded to concerns for her safety. An inquest hearing last week was told that her body appeared to have been discovered inside a freezer at the property.

A post-mortem examination recorded the cause of death as “blunt force head trauma pending further investigation.” Coroner Oliver Longstaff stressed that the inquest was not making any findings of fact while criminal proceedings were ongoing.

Tributes left at the scene described Carolann as a “beautiful and amazing sister” with a “lovely smile.”

Barraclough, of Ken Churchill Drive, has been remanded in custody. The court heard the trial is expected to last around two weeks, with a further case management hearing scheduled for May 8.

His Honour Judge Guy Kearl KC told Barraclough:  

“You will next come before this court on the eighth of May when we will look towards the future stages of this case.”