**Wrexham Woman Jailed for Life After Murdering Partner in Alcohol-Fuelled Attack**
A Wrexham woman who fatally stabbed her long-term partner has been sentenced to life imprisonment following a harrowing trial at Mold Crown Court. Joanna Katarzyna Wronska, aged 51, will serve a minimum of 15 years and four months in prison for the murder of Marcin Koziol in what the sentencing judge described as a “tragic and unnecessary” attack.
Wronska’s conviction comes after a painstaking nine-day trial during which the jury heard detailed evidence of the circumstances leading up to the fatal incident. The court was told that the fatal stabbing occurred during a violent altercation at the couple’s home in Pentre Gwyn, Wrexham, on the evening of 23 October 2023. The attack followed heavy drinking and a volatile argument, ultimately resulting in Mr Koziol suffering a lethal wound to his chest.
In passing sentence, His Honour Judge Rhys Rowlands commented on the severity of the offence and the devastating consequences for all involved. “It goes without saying this was a tragic loss of a man’s life and a dreadful waste of your immediate future,” he said, addressing Wronska directly. During her sentencing, she remained expressionless in the dock.
The prosecution, led by Andrew Thomas KC, detailed how Wronska had raised the alarm herself, calling emergency services and claiming her partner had injured himself with a knife. When police arrived at the scene, they discovered Mr Koziol in the bedroom, gravely wounded and unresponsive. Despite the rapid response, he was pronounced dead an hour later, with post-mortem findings indicating the single stab wound had penetrated his heart and left lung, causing catastrophic blood loss.
As the investigation unfolded, forensic teams found a large kitchen knife—measuring 20cm long—freshly washed and placed in the sink, its dimensions consistent with the fatal wound. The court heard further evidence suggesting an attempt had been made to clean up the scene, raising suspicions about Wronska’s version of events.
Throughout the proceedings, Wronska denied responsibility for the killing, insisting that Mr Koziol had harmed himself, referencing his history of self-harm and attempted suicide. She described their relationship as deeply loving, stating she would never intentionally harm her partner. However, the prosecution, supported by forensic evidence and witness testimony, challenged these assertions vigorously.
Of particular note during the trial was testimony concerning the couple’s tumultuous lifestyle. Both Wronska and Koziol reportedly grappled with alcohol dependency, and their relationship had been marked by intense arguments and erratic behaviour. Both had been banned from local shops for repeated drunkenness and shoplifting offences. On the day of the killing, CCTV footage and witness accounts described the couple, along with a friend, buying and consuming alcohol before Mr Koziol’s death.
Further compounding the prosecution’s case, a previous partner of Wronska gave evidence recalling a similar attack years earlier, in which he claimed she had stabbed him during a conflict. He alleged that Wronska had told him he was “lucky she hadn’t stabbed him in the heart.” This testimony, coupled with forensic findings, undermined Wronska’s statement that her partner’s death was self-inflicted.
After careful deliberation, the jury unanimously found Wronska guilty of murder. Judge Rowlands noted alcohol’s role in the tragic events, stating, “I have no doubt that drink is at the root of your problems.”
Following sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Eleri Thomas of North Wales Police expressed the profound sadness felt by all those touched by the case. “Joanna Wronska senselessly and needlessly ended Marcin Koziol’s life—a man she said she loved. This was an avoidable act of violence with permanent consequences,” she said.
The case has left the local community in shock, highlighting the devastating effects of domestic violence and addiction. As Wronska begins her life sentence, many are left grappling with the consequences of a relationship dominated by turmoil and lost potential. The case stands as a sobering reminder of the importance of intervention and support in preventing such tragedies.