Michael Thompson: ‘I hope today provides Kim’s family and friends with some comfort,’ say police after guilty verdicts
Michael Thompson has been found guilty of all four charges against him, including the murder and rape of 43-year-old Kimberley Thompson, after standing trial for the past six weeks.
The 56-year-old, of Pinewood Road, was found guilty of murder, rape and two charges of committing an act tending and intended to pervert the course of public justice on July 8 after the jury spent 11 hours and 38 minutes deliberating.
Thompson has been remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced next Tuesday (July 14) at Nottingham Crown Court, for the murder and rape of his estranged wife on August 9 2025.
Following the four guilty verdicts being returned, Northamptonshire Police released a statement from Detective Chief Inspector Torie Harrison from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit – who led the investigation into Kim’s murder.
DCI Harrison said: “I hope today provides Kim’s family and friends with some comfort.
“It became clear throughout our investigation that Kim had been subjected to domestic abuse for much of her relationship with Thompson, with manipulation, coercive control, and physical violence the norm.
“Over the years Thompson stripped Kim’s confidence away but in the time since their separation, friends and family began to see the old Kim re-emerging with a renewed enthusiasm for life.”
In addition to being found guilty of the rape and murder of Kim, Thompson was also found guilty of two counts of perverting the course of justice, one for covering up the rape and the other for covering up her murder.
“Not only did Thompson brutally rape and murder Kim, he took the time to stage her death in order to make people believe she had committed suicide before calling for help,” added DCI Harrison.
“I have no doubt these actions caused further upset to Kim’s loved ones, who have shown an enormous amount of grace and dignity throughout our investigation and during the trial.”
During the trial, the court heard how Kim made contact with a domestic abuse support service in 2013 before withdrawing her complaint due to the fear of what would happen if she reported what was happening to her.
DCI Harrison said: “The level of abuse Kim was subjected to over the last two decades was horrific, and I want to take this opportunity to say to anyone who may be living a similar life that help is available.
“We have specialist police officers who work with survivors of domestic abuse, including coercive control and physical abuse, and there are other organisations that also offer support and practical help if you don’t want to speak to the police.
“My plea to anyone who finds themself in this situation is to please ask for help, no one will judge you, but we can help you take that first step to becoming safe.”
If you need the help of Northamptonshire Police, you are urged to ring 101 or 999 in an emergency. If you would prefer to report online, you can visit Northants Police’s website.
If you have been a victim of rape or sexual abuse but are not yet ready to speak to the police, please visit www.nhft.nhs.uk/serenity or call Serenity on 01604 601713 for free and confidential 24/7 support.
If you have been a victim of domestic abuse but are not yet ready to speak to the police, please visit www.voicenorthants.org or call Voice on 0300 303 1965. This is a support service for anyone living in Northamptonshire. Services are free, confidential and you do not have to have reported anything to the police.