Anna Podedworna, 40, pleaded not guilty to murdering Izabela Zablocka at her trial, which began on 22/1, despite having led police to the burial site.

Court records indicate Izabela, who married at 20 and had one daughter, later separated from her husband. She then began a relationship with Anna. Facing financial difficulties, the couple moved from their native Poland to England in 2009 to find work, settling in a terraced house on Princes Street in Derby by 2010.

On 28/8/2010, Izabela called her mother as usual. However, after this call, her family never saw or heard from her again.

Prosecutors alleged that after the call, Anna murdered Izabela, dismembered her body, and buried it in the back garden, covering the site with a layer of concrete.

Prosecutor Gordon Aspden told Derby Crown Court, "The defendant's post-murder concealment involved a series of deliberate, calculated, brutal, and time-consuming actions."

Although the precise motive for Izabela's murder remains unclear, the prosecution stated there was "evidence of suspicion, jealousy, and conflict" between the two women, describing their relationship as "turbulent and chaotic."

Izabela Zablocka had wanted gender reassignment surgery but lacked the funds. Photo: Derbyshire Constabulary

Izabela's family reported her missing to English police in 11/2010, then to Polish police in 1/2011. When contacted by officers, Anna claimed she had not seen Izabela since 8/2010.

In 2024, Izabela's daughter sought assistance from the Polish organization Missing for Years to contact Anna via Facebook. Anna again asserted she did not know Izabela's whereabouts or what had happened to her.

In 5/2025, Rafal Zalewski, a Polish television journalist, traveled to England to interview Anna at her Derby home. Prosecutor Aspden suggested this became a turning point in the case, as the increasing pressure caused Anna to "break down."

Immediately afterward, Anna emailed police on 21/5/2025, stating she wished to provide evidence. Three days later, she told officers they would find Izabela's body buried in the garden on Princes Street, admitting she had killed Izabela.

However, in court, Anna claimed Izabela died in an "accident" during a violent confrontation between the two, asserting she acted in self-defense. The prosecution argued this defense was another lie by the defendant to conceal her guilt.

Police discovered Izabela's remains on 1/6/2025. A post-mortem examination could not determine the cause of death due to the condition of the remains.

Izabela Zablocka's body was found in the back garden of a house on Princes Street, Derby. Photo: BBC

On 5/6/2025, Anna was charged with murder, obstructing the lawful burial of a body, and perverting the course of justice for the period between 8/2010 and 6/2025.

According to the prosecutor, in the 15 years following Izabela's death, Anna "continued to live as if nothing had happened," had a relationship with a local man, and two children.

Anna's trial is expected to last about four weeks.