Anita Fox, whose mother was tragically murdered and hidden for 20 years, recently expressed her shock upon learning that the killer, Michael Bowen, would be released from prison while she was about to embark on her honeymoon. Bowen was sentenced to life in 1998 for the murder of his wife Sandie Bowen, and was granted parole in January 2015. However, he has been recalled to custody twice since then.
Anita Fox criticized the decision to release Bowen, noting that he was considered high risk and should not have been set free in the first place. The Parole Board defended its decisions, stating that the safety of the public is their top priority.
Sandie Bowen went missing from her home in Llandogo in 1997, and her remains were discovered tied to a kitchen sink near a reservoir in 2017. Despite being named a high-risk individual, Bowen, now known as Raymond Bowen, has never admitted to the murder.
Anita expressed her ongoing pain and lack of closure due to Bowen’s refusal to confess to the crime. She emphasized that Bowen had deprived her of the opportunity to grow old with her mother and for her future grandchildren to know her.
Despite participating in programs in prison to address his violent tendencies, Bowen’s behavior in relationships, characterized by control and jealousy, raised concerns. Anita believed that Bowen had not truly changed for the better and questioned the effectiveness of his time in prison.
Retired detective Justin O’Keeffe expressed disappointment that Bowen had not shown significant improvement despite completing courses in prison. Anita echoed these sentiments, feeling that Bowen should never have been released.
Anita was informed of Bowen’s imminent release as she was about to leave for her honeymoon, adding to her distress. The parole board defended its decision to release Bowen, stating that imprisonment was no longer deemed necessary for public protection.
One of the conditions for Bowen’s release is adhering to specific licence terms, such as respecting an “exclusion zone,” undergoing heightened monitoring and supervision, and disclosing new relationships. Mr. O’Keeffe highlighted the Sandie Bowen case as distinctive for the Gwent force, being a rare instance where the perpetrator was convicted despite the absence of the victim’s body. He characterized Bowen as a “violent, controlling, coercive, jealous bully,” with the trial revealing past instances of assault on former partners. “I vividly recall his deceitfulness towards everyone, even deceiving his own family, and his ability to sustain that facade,” he remarked.
Ms. Fox actively advocated for Helen’s Law, a legislation that enables authorities to prolong the incarceration of murderers who withhold crucial information about their victims, including the whereabouts of their remains. Upon the discovery of her mother’s body, Ms. Fox chose to keep her ashes at home to maintain a sense of closeness. She, along with her partner and son, later scattered Ms. Bowen’s ashes in a location cherished by all. “This moment marked a turning point for me, signaling my readiness to progress forward,” she shared.
