Wife, 31, 'stabs her husband to death after returning from a boozy Christmas lunch with friends'

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A wife has been charged with stabbing to death her husband after a drunken Christmas party.

Neil Jex, 52, died at the South Wales home he shared with his wife Natasha, 31, in the village of Penywaun near Aberdare.

Mr Jex was found in a pool of blood after a 999 call to the couple's home and his wife was arrested on Sunday night and later charged with murder.

Smith was remanded in custody by Merthyr Tydfil magistrates yesterday and will appear at Cardiff Crown Court today. 

Natasha Smith has been charged with murdering her husband Neil Jex (pictured with their child) after a drunken Christmas lunch

The couple (dressed as Where's Wally) are said to have had a row after a Christmas lunch and an afternoon of drinking 

Mr Jex was found in a pool of blood after a 999 call to the couple's home in the village of Penywaun, Aberdare

Flowers left at the scene described their grief at the sudden death in the small South Wales community

The couple had been out with friends for a Christmas lunch and carried on drinking through the evening.

Police believe they rowed when they arrived home and Natasha allegedly stabbed him with a kitchen knife. 

Police believe they rowed when they arrived home and Natasha allegedly stabbed him with a kitchen knife

Police are trying to discover if anything happened at the party to cause the Christmas horror.

A neighbour said: 'They had been out for the day and had just got back when something went wrong.

'An ambulance was here in minutes but they could not save him. The street was full of police car and ambulances.

'No one can understand it, they were good together and always seemed happy. It's tragic for both of them.'

The couple's three-bedroomed end-of-terrace house in the village of Penywaun, Aberdare, South Wales, was sealed off by police today.

Forensic officers removed the couple's belongings including a computer from the pebble-dashed house which has 'Merry Christmas' stickers on the front windows.

Tributes were paid to Liverpool fan Neil who was described as 'the life and soul of the party'.

Neil's family said in a statement: 'We are completely devastated, we have lost a brother, son, father, grandfather and friend.

'He adored his family and once you met him you would very rarely forget him.

'His legacy will live on through his grandson who will never have the opportunity to love him as much as we did.'

The couple are believed to have a child together and married in 2011

Neil recently became a grandfather after his daughter from his first marriage Tanysha, 23, had a little boy Charlie.

Neil recently became a grandfather after his daughter from his first marriage Tanysha, 23, had a little boy Charlie

Neil was a proud stepdad to Natasha's 14-year-old son and the couple had a baby boy of their own two years ago.

Another neighbour said: 'They loved that little boy more than anything - now he's lost his dad in the blink of an eye.

'He was at home with one of the older children when this happened.

'It is too tragic for words at this time of year. Neil was well thought-of and played a big part in the local community.

'They seemed happy together, no one can understand it.'

Neil and Natasha, who used her maiden name Smith, were both involved in the local rugby club and raised funds by climbing Penyfan, the highest mountain in the Brecon Beacons.

One friend on Facebook described Neil, who worked for a car components company, as a 'diamond of a man.'

South Wales police confirmed they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the alleged murder.

Police arrested the 31-year-old murder suspect on Sunday and she was up in court today

South Wales Police have sealed off the house and were seen removing items in evidence bags today

A spokesman said: 'We were called to an address in Penywaun, Aberdare, at 9.30pm on Sunday evening.

'An investigation into the death of Neil Jex is being carried out by the South Wales Police Major Crime Investigations Team.

'We have charged a 31-year-old woman with murder following the death of a Mr Jex.'

She will appear at Cardiff Crown Court tomorrow. 

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