Horrific Christmas murder in the UK: Hungarian woman killed for sexual reasons?

A Hungarian woman, Mariann Böröcz (55), went missing earlier this month. Authorities started to search for her on 14 December. Thanks to the help of the locals, the Hungarian woman’s dead body was found in Christopher Barlow’s home, who refused to confess. Based on a court decision, he will remain in detention for at least six months until authorities can conclude their investigation. The 61-year-old is the police’s main suspect. Sexual reasons are suspected to be behind the murder.

Hungarian woman killed in the UK

Detective Chief Inspector and Senior Investigating Officer Tony Platten from Greater Manchester Police’s Major Incident Team said; “On behalf of the entire investigation team, our condolences remain with Mariann’s family as they try to come to terms with her death. Our investigation is moving at pace, and we are continuing to work hard to build a full timeline of events leading up to Mariann’s death. As part of our investigation, we are once again appealing for additional information from the local community.”

Blikk wrote that locals helped the police a lot in the issue because they felt the Hungarian woman did not disappear due to a party or similar reasons.

According to the police, Barlow of Pedder Street is being charged with the horrific murder. The Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court decided on a Boxing Day session to keep him in detention for at least 6 months until the authorities can conclude their investigation successfully. According to Blikk, the main suspect has not yet given a detailed confession.

Mariann knew little English

Mariann had been working as a janitor in Bolton for five years but knew little English. Her disappearance was reported by the owner of a local motel where the Hungarian woman lived and worked.

Police categorised her disappearance as “high-risk” and started a thorough investigation, during which they learned that an apartment nearby was rented by a man imprisoned before for sexual harassment and rape attempt.

The woman’s body was found in Christopher Barlow’s apartment on 23 December. The investigation found that she was strangled. Barlow refused to tell the police why the woman’s body was found in his rented apartment.

The 6th most crime-ridden UK city

According to Blikk, the murder shocked Bolton, which is the 6th most crime-ridden settlement in the United Kingdom. Around 2,000-2,500 Hungarian nationals live in the city, which is regarded as the third biggest Hungarian community outside London, after Bristol and Edinburgh.

Szilvia Cs., a Hungarian national living and working in the city, told Blikk that there are multiple attacks and thefts. Furthermore, many of its residents visibly struggle with mental illnesses. Due to the robberies, even owners of the smallest shops install CCTV cameras. The last image of Mariann was taken of her in one of those shops.

The main suspect, Mr Barlow has been living in the city for 10 years. Most of the time, he was homeless, but sometimes he could rent a cheap apartment.

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Featured image: illustration