U.K. Man Admits To Murdering Mary Wells, A 21-year-old American Woman Visiting England Back In January
Back in January, Adam Butt, 22, was accused of murdering 21-year-old Mary Wells at a home in Colchester, Essex. Though the suspect previously denied the murder claims against him, he reportedly confessed to killing Wells in court earlier this week.
Wells, who is from Dallastown, Pennsylvania, was found dead on January 17th. According to BBC News, an early cause of death investigation found she died of stab wounds to both her neck and her torso.
Butt was arrested and charged with the murder at the time. According to the Colchester Gazette, he denied the allegations during a court appearance in July.
But, during the most recent trial on Tuesday, he confessed to “manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility."
According to People, “diminished responsibility means that the accused committed the crime while allegedly grappling with a mental disorder that reduced moral culpability.”
Butt’s next court hearing is set for September 3rd. Until then, he is to be held at a psychiatric hospital.
A GoFundMe page was set up in January to help raise money to return Wells’ body back to the U.S. According to the site, she was born in Baltimore, Maryland, but graduated high school in Dallastown, Pennsylvania.
Wells was in England already for six months prior to her murder and was set to return home on February 8, less than a month after the date of her death.
"Mary was so kind and selfless, she would give someone the shirt off her back. Mary was quiet and didn't ask for much. She wasn't the kind of person that likes to fight or argue. She was very shy," the GoFundMe description read. "Mary had a tough couple of years. Mary lost her mom due to health problems and lost her grandmother who took care of her after her mom died 2 years ago."
In a statement after her death, Wells’ remaining family said, "She had a goal to make her mum proud of her. She was looking to excel in life and will be loved and missed by all."
