Boyfriend of graduate whose body was found in burning car charged with conspiracy to murder her

 
EDITORS PLEASE NOTE. The Press Association has been unable to contact the copyright holder of this photograph. Subscribers are advised that they may be approached by the individual or organisation concerned for payment. Undated handout photo issued by Avon and Somerset Police of Catherine Wells-Burr, 23, who was discovered in her red Ford Focus, abandoned in a field by the side of a road. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Friday September 14, 2012. Firefighters were alerted to the blazing five-door vehicle shortly before 6.30am on Wednesday off the A358 in Ashill, near Ilminster, Somerset. See PA story POLICE Woman. Photo credit should read: Avon and Somerset Police/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
18 September 2012
WEST END FINAL

Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

The boyfriend of Catherine Wells-Burr was tonight charged with conspiracy to murder her.

Rafal Nowak, 31, will appear before magistrates in Bristol tomorrow, Avon and Somerset Police said.

Nowak's former partner, Anna Julia Lagwinowicz, 32, appeared in court today to face the same charge.

A police spokeswoman said: "Detectives investigating the murder of Catherine Wells-Burr have charged another person with conspiracy to murder.

"Rafal Nowak, aged 31, will appear at Bristol magistrates court tomorrow.

"A 38-year-old man remains in police custody where he is being questioned."

Earlier today, Lagwinowicz, a Polish national, made a brief appearance before magistrates charged with conspiring together with other persons to murder Miss Wells-Burr between May 1, 2012 and September 13, 2012.

The defendant, of South Street, Taunton, Somerset, was remanded in custody to appear before Bristol Crown Court on October 9.

Miss Wells-Burr's body was discovered by firefighters who had been alerted to the blazing five-door vehicle by passing motorists shortly before 6.30am off the A358 in Ashill on September 12.

Avon and Somerset Police have appealed for witnesses, describing the death as "tragic and brutal".

Miss Wells-Burr, known to friends as 'Caf', lived in Chard, Somerset, with her parents and sister Leanne.

After gaining a first-class degree in business management at Bath Spa University, she went to work as a business analyst for Chard-based Numatic International Ltd, known for Henry vacuum cleaners.

Her parents have office posts at the firm where her boyfriend Mr Nowak, 31, also works.

Jayne and Phil Wells-Burr said their daughter was an "amazing, special person" who was excited about starting a new life with her boyfriend.

"We have lost our beautiful Catherine; she was full of character, she was caring, loving, and had a bubbly personality," they said in a statement last week.

"She had a wonderful sense of humour, and was an amazing, special person."

The university where Miss Wells-Burr graduated last year offered its condolences to her family.

"Everyone at Bath Spa University is deeply saddened about the death of graduate Catherine Wells-Burr," a spokesman said.

"Catherine graduated in 2011 with a first class honours degree in business and management and will be fondly remembered by all those here who knew her.

"Our heartfelt sympathy and sincere condolences are with Catherine's family at this distressing and difficult time."

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in