A man has pleaded guilty to murdering his wife at Merthyr Crown Court.
Christopher Kerrell, 35, from Powys, has admitted murdering his wife, 28-year-old former South Hams resident Hollie Kerrell, nee Simmons, in April this year.
The body of the mother-of-three was found four days after going missing from her home south of Knighton, Wales.
Kerrell was arrested on suspicion of murder on April 28, and his trial was due to start this week. He pleaded guilty today, Monday, October 22.
Judge Mr Justice Morris told Kerrell, of Whitton, near Knighton, can expect to be jailed for life when sentenced, which is expected to be next week.
Hollie Kerrell, 28, moved to Wales from Slapton around ten years ago after she finished her education at Kingsbridge Community College. She went missing from her home in Glyndwr in Knucklas on Sunday, April 22.
A tribute issued on behalf of Ms Kerrell’s mother, her three children, and five sisters shortly after her death said: “Our beautiful Hollie loved life and lit up every room she was in. There was never a dull moment with our quirky, funny Hollie around.
“She was the glue that held our family together and she will be missed terribly.”
Hollie’s mum and sisters told us: “Hollie was a devoted mother who loved her children deeply, she loved life and took pride in her work. Hollie was an inspiration to us all, providing unconditional love and support.
“Hollie built a unique family connection between us all. She was renowned for inappropriate jokes and spreading joy to all who were around. Whilst at Kingsbridge Community College she made her classmates smile and is possibly the reason Mr Pope started to go grey.
"We will miss her, our world will never be the same, nor will the worlds of her three beautiful children.
“The world is a little paler today, and the flowers are not so bright, think of her, let her make you smile and give her one last kiss goodnight.
“There aren’t enough words to describe how much we love her.”