Man jailed after partner’s body found in Torbay flat two years after death

A Torquay man who lived with the body of his former partner for over two years has been jailed for preventing the lawful burial of her body.

Jamie Stevens, 51, was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court today (11 August) to 14 months in prison after admitting preventing the lawful and decent burial of a dead body and committing acts with intent to pervert the course of justice.

Stevens, of Reddenhill Road, had covered the body of 36-year-old Anouska Sites with a blanket at his Upton Road home after she died there.

Anouska was reported missing on 10 April 2025, with police establishing her last confirmed sighting was on 21 May 2022. Stevens told officers he had not seen her since February or March 2022 and signed a witness statement to that effect.

Detectives later forced entry to the flat on 27 May 2025, where they discovered Anouska’s body. Stevens was arrested and told officers she had died while staying with him in January 2023.

He admitted covering her with a blanket and not calling emergency services, and also admitted lying in his police statement.

Judge Richardson sentenced Stevens to 14 months for preventing the lawful burial, with eight months for perverting the course of justice to run concurrently.

Anouska’s death is not being treated as suspicious.

Detective Inspector Jeanne Hellyer said: “Anouska was denied the dignity and right of a lawful burial on her death by Stevens. My thoughts remain with Anouska’s family and friends, who can now lay her to rest.”