Leigh Sabine’s life was shrouded in mystery, but her biggest secret remained hidden until a chilling discovery was made after her death in 2015. Leigh had long been known for spinning elaborate tales, from her quest for fame as a cabaret singer to her globetrotting adventures across Britain, New Zealand, and Australia before settling in Wales. However, it wasn’t until November 2015 that the shocking truth about the disappearance of her husband, John Sabine, came to light when his body was found buried in their backyard, as reported by The Washington Post.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Leigh-Sabine-and-John-Sabine-022725-c9c76c44aba04521bf0e5ec692c22beb.jpg)
Leigh and John Sabine’s story began in 1960 when they tied the knot and went on to have five children together. Their nomadic lifestyle was driven by Leigh’s relentless pursuit of stardom, with the couple moving several times in search of her musical success. The New Zealand Herald revealed that their tumultuous journey culminated in abandoning their children at a care facility in Auckland before returning to Britain, where John mysteriously vanished in 1997. The revelation of his remains 18 years later was triggered by a prank gone awry by a neighbour.
A former tenant of Leigh’s Wales flat, Michelle James, had heard rumours of a medical skeleton hidden in a package in the backyard. Following Leigh’s passing from cancer, James and a friend decided to use the skeleton for a prank, only to discover the gruesome reality. The package contained John’s preserved body, and the police were immediately alerted to the horrifying find. A subsequent pathologist’s report revealed that John had died from blunt force trauma and had been preserved through chemical mummification, leaving investigators in shock.
Upon further investigation, DNA analysis confirmed the body as John Sabine, who had last been seen at the age of 67 in 1997. Testimonies during the 2016 inquiry shed light on Leigh’s confession to a friend, Valerie Chalkley, over the phone, where she admitted to killing John. However, doubts lingered due to Leigh’s history of fabricating stories, blurring the lines between truth and fiction. The Guardian reported South Wales Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Morgan’s firm belief that Leigh was the sole perpetrator, stating that no evidence suggested anyone else was aware of John’s demise.
The tragic tale of Leigh and John Sabine serves as a chilling reminder of the hidden horrors that can lurk beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary lives. Leigh’s intricate web of deception eventually unravelled, exposing a dark truth that had been buried for nearly two decades. Domestic violence helplines remain crucial resources for anyone experiencing abuse or in need of support, underscoring the importance of seeking help and speaking out against violence. As the investigation into this harrowing case continues, it stands as a sombre testament to the haunting consequences of unchecked secrets and deceit.