A night out turns deadly: Lisa Ellwood found guilty of stabbing husband Ryan in Wakefield home

In a chilling case that has gripped Wakefield, Lisa Ellwood, 40, has been found guilty of the murder of her husband, Ryan Ellwood, after a night out to celebrate her birthday ended in tragedy. The Leeds Crown Court delivered the verdict following a two-week trial that laid bare the details of a fatal altercation at their Greenwood Court home on August 29 last year.

The court heard how the couple had spent the evening at the Blind Pig pub, where Lisa Ellwood consumed six cocktails, leading up to the tragic events of that night. Despite witnesses describing the pair as being in “good spirits” earlier in the evening, the situation took a dark turn upon their return home. Ryan suffered stab wounds that pierced his rib, lung, and aorta, leading to his death, while Lisa claimed to have no memory of the attack.

Statements from two taxi drivers and CCTV footage pieced together the couple’s movements leading up to the moment when emergency services were called to their residence. As the case unfolded, friends of Ryan painted a picture of a man who had become a “shell of a man” over the course of his marriage, contradicting Lisa’s portrayal of herself as a victim of domestic abuse. Multiple witnesses recounted seeing Lisa attack Ryan in public on several occasions, challenging her defence.

The prosecution argued against Lisa’s claim of being a “battered wife,” highlighting her aggressive behaviour towards Ryan and her attempts to dominate him physically and mentally. The jury’s verdict came after careful deliberation, concluding that Lisa was responsible for her husband’s murder.

Lisa Ellwood now awaits sentencing, facing the consequences of her actions on that fateful night. As she was led from the dock, the courtroom was filled with emotional cries, a sombre reminder of the tragedy that unfolded from what began as a celebratory outing. The case has left the community in shock, mourning the loss of Ryan, remembered by those who knew him as a kind-hearted individual whose life was cut tragically short.