Father charged with rape and murder of estranged wife, former award-winning basketball coach
Michael Thompson, 55, appeared in Northampton Magistrates' Court on charges of rape and murder in Northampton; Kimberley Thompson, 43, a former East Midlands coach of the year, identified as the victim.
A man appeared in Northampton Magistrates' Court on Thursday charged with raping and murdering his estranged wife, Kimberley Thompson, a former East Midlands coach of the year. Kimberley Thompson, 43, was found dead at the couple's terraced home on Pinewood Road in Northampton last month, police said.
Michael Thompson, 55, spoke only to confirm his name and address as Pinewood Road, Northampton, during a one-minute hearing. The chair of the bench, Claudia Wade, told him the matters against him would be transferred to Northampton Crown Court for a hearing the following day. He was remanded in custody.
Kimberley Thompson had coached for Northants Basketball Club and was previously a coach on the Basketball England talent pathway programme that works toward players getting into the national squad. The couple are believed to have two children.
Neighbors described Thompson as very nice and down to earth, saying she was sporty but family-oriented, often with the children. One resident said, "Everyone is in shock – she was a brilliant neighbour. This is a quiet neighbourhood usually." Another resident recalled the family as lovely, with the father and mother and the kids being absolutely smashing. A third neighbour said the family were "always busy, they always seemed to be in a rush."
Northamptonshire Police said they named the victim on Wednesday and that specially trained officers are continuing to support her family. The case was transferred to Northampton Crown Court for a hearing at 10 a.m. the following day, with Thompson remanded in custody.