A Life Tragically Cut Short: Remembering Samantha Mickleburgh and the Fight for Justice
The community of Bagshot and beyond is mourning the loss of a vibrant, kind soul—Samantha Mickleburgh. Last year, her life was violently taken at Pennyhill Park Hotel, a place where she had hoped to celebrate her partner’s milestone. Instead, her final moments were marked by unimaginable violence and betrayal. After a long and emotionally charged trial, James Cartwright, 61, from Axminster, Devon, has been found guilty of her murder and rape. Yet, behind these legal verdicts lies a heartbreaking story of love, loss, and the devastating impact of domestic violence, reminding us all of the urgent need to protect vulnerable women and support victims.
A Heartbreaking Farewell and a Community’s Pain
Samantha was 54 years old—a woman known for her warmth, kindness, and strength. She had recently ended her relationship with Cartwright and was trying to forge a new path forward. In a final act of compassion, she accompanied him to celebrate his 60th birthday, unaware that this decision would be her last. Early in the morning of April 14, 2024, her life was cruelly stolen in a brutal attack. The details of her death are harrowing—she was raped and strangled, suffering a fractured skull and signs of neck compression. Her family, devastated and broken, described her as “the kindest light in all our lives,” a mother, daughter, sister, and friend whose absence leaves an unfillable void.
