A man who concealed the body of his ex-girlfriend in his home for more than two years has been jailed for preventing her lawful burial.
Jamie Stevens, 51, kept the remains of 36-year-old Anouska Sites hidden under a blanket in his flat on Upton Road, Torquay, after she died sometime in early 2022.
The disturbing discovery was made on May 27 this year when police forced entry into Stevens’ home following repeated unanswered visits. Anouska had been reported missing on April 10, 2024, with her last confirmed sighting on May 21, 2022.
During the investigation, Stevens lied to police, claiming he had not seen her for months. He later admitted that she had died in his flat after they spent a night together in January 2023. Rather than contacting emergency services, Stevens covered her with a blanket and left her there.
In interviews, Stevens told officers he knew he should have called for help but could not explain why he had failed to act. “Looking back, I don’t know why I didn’t call emergency services,” he admitted, acknowledging that his explanation did not “sound right.”
Detective Inspector Jeanne Hellyer condemned Stevens’ actions, stating:
“Anouska was denied the dignity and right of a lawful burial on her death by Stevens. My thoughts remain with her family and friends, who can now lay her to rest.”
Police have confirmed that Anouska’s death is not being treated as suspicious.
At Exeter Crown Court on August 11, Stevens was sentenced to 14 months in prison for preventing the lawful burial of a body. He also received a concurrent eight-month sentence for perverting the course of justice.
The case has drawn attention to the emotional toll on Anouska’s loved ones, who endured years without knowing what had happened to her. Authorities say the delay in recovering her body prolonged their grief and denied them closure.
