Abi Fisher: Parents and brother of murdered Yorkshire teacher release emotional statement as husband is jailed

The 29-year-old’s body was found in woodland in Brierley, near Barnsley, after her husband Matthew had reported her missing from their Castleford home – but the former housing officer had killed her.

The murder took place only months after the couple had become parents to their baby daughter. Abi was a teacher at Featherstone All Saints C of E Academy.

Abi had been strangled and suffered blows to her head and face. Matthew Fisher, also 29, was today jailed for life at Leeds Crown Court with a minimum term of 15 years.

Abi’s parents Michael and Andrea Richardson and brother Nathan Richardson said: “We are extremely grateful to West Yorkshire Police for their hard work and dedication in finding Abi’s body so quickly and in gathering enough evidence that Matthew Fisher could be charged speedily.

“It has been a terrible time for the family and they would like to praise their Police Family Liaison Officers for their kindness and understanding and for keeping us informed of developments in the case in such a timely manner. They have been very supportive throughout this whole ordeal.

“We would like to thank all the court staff for ensuring the smooth running of the proceedings, the prosecuting counsel and his staff for their roles and the Judge for showing consideration for all the people who attended court today.

“Finally we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the police who searched for Abi, our friends and family and to all the people from Castleford and surrounding areas who spent hours and hours searching for our baby girl. You have no idea what it means to us as a family to know so many people cared enough to spend their time looking for her.”