Victoria Thomas was strangled to death by her partner after a night of drugs, drink, and deadly chaos

In a horrifying case that has shaken a Manchester community to its core, a devoted mother was strangled to death by her partner following a harrowing night of drug use, alcohol, and spiralling violence.

Victoria Thomas, 47, was found dead in her own home in North Wales after what prosecutors described as a brutal and chaotic night. Her killer, Alcwyn Thomas, had downed a dangerous cocktail of cocaine and alcohol before turning violent — ultimately placing her in a chokehold that led to her death.

But the violence didn’t end there. In a twisted and chilling turn, Alcwyn sent a disturbing message to Victoria’s sister just moments after the fatal assault. The text read: “I’m sorry. I love you. Look after the boys.” The chilling brevity of the message sent a wave of dread through her family.

Victoria, remembered by loved ones as a warm, caring and deeply committed mother, was described in court as having suffered “mechanical asphyxiation.” When emergency services arrived, they found her lifeless body with unmistakable signs of strangulation. Attempts to revive her were tragically unsuccessful.

Alcwyn Thomas, who initially denied murder, later pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility. The court heard how substance abuse had played a significant role in his mental state, but prosecutors made clear: the attack was violent, deliberate, and avoidable.

The tragedy has cast a renewed spotlight on the deadly intersections between domestic violence and substance misuse.

Prosecutors revealed that on the night of Victoria’s death, the couple had been using drugs and alcohol — a combination that, in Alcwyn’s case, spiralled into rage. The fatal assault occurred in the early hours of the morning, after hours of volatile behaviour.

In the courtroom, Victoria’s family sat through the harrowing details with visible grief. Her sister gave a heartbreaking statement, describing the trauma of losing “a beautiful, loving mother” in such a horrific way.

“She was the heart of our family,” her sister told the court. “We are utterly broken.”

Neighbours described Victoria as cheerful and devoted to her children. “She was always smiling, always asking how everyone else was doing,” said one resident. “This just doesn’t feel real.”

Calls for more robust domestic abuse interventions have echoed in the wake of the case. Campaigners are demanding stronger protective systems for those trapped in toxic, drug-fuelled relationships.

“This case is a gut-wrenching reminder of how quickly domestic tension, when combined with substances, can explode into lethal violence,” said one local women’s safety advocate.

The community now rallies around Victoria’s grieving children, vowing to honour her memory by demanding change. A memorial vigil is planned, where family, friends, and neighbours will gather to remember the woman whose life was so violently stolen.

The court has remanded Alcwyn Thomas in custody. Sentencing is expected soon.

But for Victoria’s family, no court ruling will undo the horror of that night — or the silence that followed, broken only by a text message that confirmed their worst fears.