A MAN who kept the body of his victim hidden in his Reading flat for weeks before disposing of it in a small London town has been found guilty of murder.
At Reading Crown Court on Friday, September 30, Nyiah Williams, 46, of Hadrian Walk East, Reading, was convicted by a unanimous jury of one count of murder, one count of perverting the course of justice and one count of preventing a lawful burial, following a trial which lasted just over three weeks.
Sentencing will take place on Monday, October 3.
His conviction is in relation to the murder of 46-year-old Duane Denny.
Mr Denny was reported missing to Thames Valley Police on Tuesday, August 24 last year, and a missing person investigation was launched.
His body was found in Erith, on Wednesday, September 15, last year.
Williams was arrested the following day and charged on Sunday, September 19.
Thames Valley Police praised Mr Denny’s family for showing incredible dignity during the investigation and trial.
Senior investigation officer, Detective Inspector Stuart Blaik of Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime Unit, said: “No family should ever have to endure the suffering they have over the last 12 months.
“This conviction will hopefully bring to a close this chapter of suffering and allow them to continue to grieve the loss of Duane in private.”
He said that Williams is “a violent and controlling bully who preys on the vulnerable”.
“He was responsible for the murder of Duane who had suffered severe blunt force injuries to his face and neck, which were inflicted in his flat,” DI Blaik said.
“Williams then meticulously wrapped Duane’s body in multiple layers of plastic bin bags and parcel tape before storing the body in the cupboard within his flat for several weeks, before disposing of the body close to the River Thames in Erith, London on September 11, 2021.
“All of this was an attempt to not only prevent Duane’s body from ever being found, but also to limit our forensic opportunities in identifying him as the killer.
“While Duane’s body was badly decomposed, we were still able to identify the cause of his death, which was significant blunt force trauma.”
DI Blaik continued: “The jury listened carefully to all of the evidence and saw through Williams’ lies that it was a group of men that forced their way into his flat and assaulted both him and Duane, resulting in death of Duane.
“Williams then suggested that the men, who he would not identify, instructed him to dispose of the body which was found by police on September 15, 2021.
“This has been a very difficult and complex investigation and I am grateful to everyone who has worked on the investigation over the last 12 months, along with those witnesses who provided important evidence during the trial.”
