Katherine Knight’s story is reminiscent of a horror movie. She made history in Australia as the first woman to receive a life sentence in 2001. Knight was arrested after police discovered her unconscious beside her deceased husband, John Price. She had brutally stabbed him to death and proceeded to skin him with the intention of cooking his remains in a stew for his children. Consequently, Knight earned the nickname “Australia’s Hannibal Lecter.”
The events leading up to Price’s gruesome murder were documented in the book “Blood Stains” by journalist Peter Lalor. Prior to the crime, Knight had a reputation in her New South Wales community as a skilled meatworker but also had a violent temper stemming from a troubled childhood marked by alleged sexual abuse. Despite numerous warning signs, including violent incidents in past relationships, Knight’s behavior went unheeded.
Price and Knight’s relationship appeared normal to outsiders, but Knight’s abusive nature was evident when she stabbed Price during an argument, resulting in him obtaining a restraining order. Following a tense dispute, Price warned coworkers to call the police if he didn’t show up for work the next day. Concerned neighbors eventually alerted authorities after spotting bloodstains at the couple’s home on March 1, 2000. Police discovered Price’s mutilated body inside the residence, while Knight was found unconscious nearby.
Former Sergeant Robert Wells recalled the grisly scene, with Knight being taken to the hospital after ingesting pills. Price’s decapitated and skinned body was found, with his head boiled on the stove and slices of his flesh baked in the oven. The chilling details of this case paint Knight as a real-life horror movie villain.
John served a meal, placing plates with the names of his two children on them. If you want to stay updated on the latest crime news, sign up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter, featuring breaking crime updates, ongoing trial reports, and details on intriguing unsolved cases. In 2001, Knight received a life sentence without parole and lost an appeal in 2006. Describing Price’s final moments, Supreme Court Justice Barry O’Keefe noted that while Price experienced sheer terror, Knight took pleasure in the act. Knight stabbed him 37 times before dismembering his body. She became the first woman in Australian history to be sentenced to life without parole and is currently incarcerated at Silverwater Women’s Correctional Centre. If you are a victim of domestic violence, reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. The hotline is confidential, toll-free, and accessible 24/7 in over 170 languages. To read the full article on People, visit their website.
