He then dismembered her body and hid part of of it in a lock-up while perpetuating the myth she was alive and well with an elaborate web of lies.
The entire case, from missing person report to confession by her killer, is documented in the fly-on-the-wall programme 24 Hours in Police Custody which starts on Channel 4 on Sunday 29 June at 9pm and concludes on Monday 30 June.
We take a closer look at what happened to Ms Smith and her killer Scott Paterson.
At first police launched a missing persons investigation for Ms Smith (Photo: Channel 4)Jason described Ms Smith as “one of the kindest and most caring people”, and said, “I consider Annette as my mother and I loved her dearly”.
Ms Smith met Paterson in 2010, while he was working in a bar and restaurant, and they had become friends.
This arrangement lasted for years, with the two of them holidaying together and hosting joint dinner parties.
In 2023, Peter told Ms Smith he could no longer afford to keep his 20 per cent investment in the flat she lived in and so the property would have to be sold.
Scott Paterson had been living with Ms Smith for a number of years (Photo: Channel 4)
At this time, Paterson, 44, was working at a local farm shop on the deli and butchery counter and had done a butchery course.
On 8 November, 2023, Paterson waited until Ms Smith, 74, was asleep then went into her room and suffocated her with a pillow.
He used Ms Smith’s email account to send messages and Christmas cards to create the illusion she was alive and even arranged for cuddly toys to be delivered to Jason’s daughters for Christmas.
At the time, the police concluded there was not enough evidence she was genuinely missing. But when Peter discovered her passport, mobile and other personal belongings at her home he reported her missing again in April 2024 and the police opened a high-risk missing person investigation.
How long was Scott Paterson jailed for her murder?
He initially claimed the demands of caring for her had caused him to “snap”.
During the police interview, he revealed how he had murdered Ms Smith after drinking a bottle of wine and then left her body in the bathroom for a couple of days before moving it to the cupboard under the stairs.
Finally, he placed her torso in a suitcase and put it in a storarge unit in Letchworth with some of her belongings.
Crime officers search the bedroom of Scott Paterson (Photo: Channel 4)Paterson pleaded guilty to Ms Smith’s murder at Luton Crown Court in September 2024.
Judge Mr Justice Murray said: “You had been contemplating murderingAnnette Smith for some time before you finally did so.
“You stole and sold for cash some of Ms Smith’s jewellery, both before andafter you murdered her.
Detective Chief Inspector Katie Dounias, who led the investigation, said after the sentencing: “While in a position of trust, Paterson cruelly took advantage of Annette’s vulnerabilities which culminated in him not only ending her life, but taking abhorrent and deceptive steps to conceal his crimes.
“There is nothing that will ease the impact this will have had on those that knew Annette, but the hope is that today’s sentencing provides some solace to her family and friends and puts an end to what has no doubt been a horrific ordeal for her loved ones.”
Describing her as a “beautiful, caring, trusting and generous lady”, they added: “Annette, rest in peace with those who will love and take care of you.”
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