A master manipulator has been convicted of murdering his fiancée and staging the scene to make her death in an overflowing bath look like an accident.
Clifford Cowen called 999 on June 23, 2024, claiming he was worried about his partner Rita Fleming after looking through her letterbox in Maida Hill.
But when police and paramedics arrived at her Kensington flat, they found the 70-year-old dead in the bath, still clothed and suffering severe injuries.
Cowen, 59, immediately tried to distance himself, urging officers to check CCTV to prove he had not been there.
His behaviour led to his arrest at the scene on suspicion of murder.
Detectives later discovered he was a controlling and abusive partner who tried to present their relationship as loving.
Messages and voice notes revealed how he would often get drunk and verbally abuse Ms Fleming.
Clifford Cowen Cowen, of Kensington Park Gardens, was charged with her murder on July 5. After a four-week trial at the Old Bailey, a jury took just six hours to convict him
When police and paramedics arrived at her Kensington flat, they found Rita Fleming dead in the bath, still clothed and suffering severe injuries
Golborne Road where Rita Fleming was living in a flat at the time of her death
Cowen, of Kensington Park Gardens, was charged with her murder on July 5. After a four-week trial at the Old Bailey, a jury took just six hours to convict him.
DCI Foxwell added: ‘He attempted to cover up his actions with an elaborate alibi, however officers were able to unpick this along with evidence of his controlling and manipulative behaviour. Rita was much loved by her family and friends and I hope that Cowen’s conviction gives them an element of closure.
‘We understand how isolated victims of domestic abuse can feel. We encourage anyone to contact police and report so we can support alongside our specialist partner agencies.’
Cowen will appear at Kingston Crown Court on Monday, September 1 for sentencing.
