A Scottish chartered surveyor has been sentenced to life and at least 15 years in prison after he was convicted of murdering his wife, following accusations of infidelity.
Walter Buchanan, 66, killed his 37-year-old wife, Darrel Odhiambo, in February 2023 at their flat in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire. Odhiambo, originally from Kenya, suffered severe neck compression, a brain injury, bruising, and a fractured rib.
Buchanan denied murder but was found guilty in January after a trial at the High Court in Glasgow. On Wednesday, Lord Cubie at the High Court in Edinburgh sentenced him to a mandatory life sentence with a minimum of 15 years behind bars.
The judge remarked: “She was younger than you, only 37, so you deprived her of many more years of life. You deprived her mother’s and sisters’ and extended family’s society.”
Lord Cubie also noted that Buchanan’s actions left Ms. Odhiambo’s son without a mother, adding: “Your actions have caused huge upset and upheaval for those left behind. Nothing I can do or say in court today can lessen the grief and anguish her family must feel.”
The trial revealed that Buchanan had been out the night before the killing and had received a text from his wife accusing him of cheating.
Upon returning home, she repeated the accusation, leading to a violent confrontation. Buchanan testified that he was in bed when his wife once again called him a “cheater.” In response, he admitted to grabbing her by the wrists, pushing her onto the bed, and climbing on top of her.
He further acknowledged placing his hand around her neck and pushing her into a pillow before she rolled over.
It was Buchanan who called 999 the next morning, claiming he found Ms. Odhiambo “cold to the touch.”
Lord Cubie ruled that Ms. Odhiambo’s actions or words did not justify or provoke Buchanan’s actions.
The judge said: “You had a successful professional life and showed you could contribute to society. It’s baffling that you behaved as you did, committing such a serious crime.”
Although Buchanan expressed remorse, Lord Cubie noted that while Buchanan may have regretted the incident, the jury found his actions to be murderous.
The judge pointed out that Buchanan had described the events as a “nightmare” for himself, emphasizing his concern for the personal consequences, rather than the suffering caused to his wife and her family.
