Mother of murder victim Phoenix Spencer-Horn describes horror at hearing details of death

Alison Spencer, the mother of 21-year-old Phoenix Spencer-Horn, said she felt horror after hearing the details of her daughter's death as Ewan Methven, 27, was sentenced to a minimum of 23 years in prison at the High Court in Glasgow. Phoenix was killed in a flat they shared in East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, in November last year. Methven decapitated Spencer-Horn before texting her mother, pretending to be Phoenix, in a chilling sequence that has left family and friends reeling.

Ms. Spencer spoke publicly about the impact statements she and other relatives prepared for the court, describing the process of reliving the trauma as the hardest thing she had ever had to do. She told Avondale Radio that there was no domestic violence or abuse leading up to the killing; she said it was “really just that weekend with drugs and him not being able to control what our amazing Phe could do.” The violence and its concealment within a shared home deepened the shock felt by Phoenix’s family and friends, many of whom had supported her in life and mourned her loss since the incident.

The sentencing brought a formal end to a case that prosecutors described as brutal and gruesome. Lord Matthews presided over the hearing, with advocate depute Chris McKenna leading the Crown's case and commending the thorough work of the investigative and legal team. Court officials noted that Methven received a sentence of at least 23 years before he could be considered for release, a figure the family said should reflect the gravity of the crime and the lasting impact on those left behind. The judge highlighted the grievous nature of the attack and the callousness of the conduct, including the moment Methven texted Phoenix’s mother while in the aftermath of the homicide.

The court heard from a number of relatives and colleagues who described Phoenix as a bright, beloved figure in her community. Family members, friends, and colleagues who knew her through work and shared social circles participated in impact statements that recounted years of shared memories and the sudden loss that followed the killing. A group formed in Phoenix’s name—Phe’s Angel Fighters—took on a 21-mile trek of the Kiltwalk in Edinburgh to raise funds for Glasgow Women’s Aid, raising more than £23,700 in the process. Organisers of last month’s Strathaven Balloon Festival held a tribute to Phoenix during the event's Evening Glow segment, and a wooden bench was placed in the Strathaven Hotel grounds where she had been a cherished colleague and friend. The inscription on the bench reading “Phe, the girl with the stunning smile. 21 forever young,” along with a Fleetwood Mac lyric nod, served as a personal memorial for those who knew her.

The prosecution noted there was no history of domestic violence or abuse in the relationship, reiterating that the perceived normalcy of the weekend did not diminish the horror of the acts committed. In the wake of the case, Phoenix’s family spoke of their enduring grief and the long path toward healing, acknowledging that the sentence, while a legal fulfillment of justice, cannot erase the memories of what they endured. They stressed that Methven will now, for decades, confront the consequences of his actions in a prison environment that will, as the family hopes, provide him with time to reflect on the damage he caused.

In a broader sense, the case has drawn renewed attention to the impact of severe violence on victims’ families and the role of victim-impact statements in the justice process. While Whitworth and colleagues at the Glasgow High Court delivered a clear message about accountability, Phoenix Spencer-Horn’s loved ones remain focused on honoring her memory through the community tributes and ongoing fundraising efforts that continue to support organizations like Glasgow Women’s Aid. The family’s resolve to transform their loss into action has resonated with supporters across Lanarkshire and beyond, and it underscores the enduring human cost that accompanies acts of violence.

The tragedy occurred in November of the previous year, and the subsequent legal proceedings have spurred local reflection on crime policy, victim support, and the availability of resources for families dealing with the aftermath of violent crime. While the case closes in a legal sense with Methven’s sentence, the emotional and community impact continues to be felt in East Kilbride and Strathaven, where memorials and fundraising efforts seek to keep Phoenix’s memory alive and to assist others facing similar traumas. The family’s statements, and the community’s response, demonstrate how a single act of violence can ripple through a community for years, shaping conversations about safety, support, and accountability at both the local and national levels.