A man has been convicted of brutally assaulting his partner and leaving her to die.

The body of Stephanie Blundell, 41, was discovered on Sunday 20 July 2025 by her father, Philip Blundell, at the Canal Street address in Chester that she shared with her partner, Tony Devenport, 57. 

When Mr Blundell arrived shortly after midday to check on her welfare, he found Devenport wandering around the house in an intoxicated state, repeatedly saying, “I think she’s dead.” 

Stephanie was found upstairs, lying on a blood‑soaked mattress, with extensive bruising and injuries across her face and body. Emergency services were called immediately by her father. Paramedics confirmed on arrival that she had died.

Devenport had made no attempt to seek help during the period in which Stephanie had been fatally injured. He repeatedly told officers at the scene that he had ‘not done anything’ and blamed Stephanie’s drinking.

In later police interviews, he maintained that account but admitted that, on the previous evening, he had grabbed Stephanie’s arms and pushed her onto a mattress during an argument. He claimed that he later lay beside her to comfort her when she appeared unwell and believed she died ‘peacefully’ moments before her father arrived.

However, paramedics and police noted blood on Devenport’s hands. He was unable to offer any explanation for the numerous bruises and more than a hundred injuries across Stephanie’s body. 

Subsequent enquiries revealed that Stephanie had not left the house for approximately ten days before her death, during which time Devenport had been feeding her largely on alcohol and ice lollies.

The couple had met around a year earlier while both were receiving support for alcohol addiction. Ms Blundell had enjoyed a successful career following school, and Devenport had previously run a business in Deeside. 

Their relationship was described as stable when neither was drinking. However, when intoxicated or using drugs, Devenport became violent, controlling and paranoid. 

A post‑mortem examination revealed that Ms Blundell died from multiple injuries inflicted upon her, exacerbated by the effects of chronic alcoholism.

Devenport was arrested and charged with murder. He continued to deny the offence, and the case proceeded to trial at Chester Crown Court. Today, 25 February 2026, he was found guilty of murder. He will be sentenced on Friday, 27 February 2026.

Senior Crown Prosecutor Andrew Madden, of CPS Mersey‑Cheshire, said: “At trial, Tony Devenport admitted he slapped Stephanie Blundell two or three times ‘excessively’ but could provide no explanation for the 102 injuries found on her. 

"These included traumatic, recently inflicted brain injuries, fractures to both thyroid horns, often associated with strangulation or mechanical asphyxiation, and severe facial bruising.

“Throughout this trial, Devenport has not only admitted lying in his police interviews but has repeatedly maintained that Stephanie died ‘peacefully’ due to her struggles with alcohol. The prosecution adduced photographs of her injuries to demonstrate to the jury that his account was entirely fictitious.

Despite Stephanie’s condition, he did nothing to obtain help and pretended that, moments before her father arrived, he was attempting to resuscitate her, even though she was clearly dead. 

"The Crown Prosecution Service’s case was that he killed her when he lost his temper due to his consumption of alcohol and drugs. Today, the jury have agreed.

“This is an extremely sad case and a tragic end for a young, talented woman who had a successful life ahead of her.

“The Crown Prosecution Service wishes to thank the family of Stephanie Blundell, who not only were required to give evidence due to Devenport’s refusal to accept responsibility, but who attended each day of the trial with dignity, determined to protect Stephanie’s legacy despite Devenport’s persistent lies and victim blaming.

"The CPS would also like to thank Cheshire Police for a meticulous investigation and for working closely with all parties involved.”.