Wife 'stabbed husband with kitchen knife after boozy Christmas lunch' while kids were at home

A boozy Christmas lunch ended tragically on Sunday (17 December) when a woman was charged with stabbing her husband to death while their children were still in the house.

Natasha Smith, 31, allegedly took a kitchen knife to husband Neil Jex, 52, after a day of drinking that began with a festive meal.

Police rushed to their home in Wales at around 9.30pm to find the father and grandfather lying in pools of blood. Smith was later charged with murder.

The couple have a two-year-old son who was in their three bedroom pebble-dashed house when Jex died, as was Smith's 14-year-old son.

"They had been out for the day and had just got back when something went wrong," a neighbour told MailOnline.

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

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

Police cordoned off the couple's end-of-terrace home in Penywaun, which has "Merry Christmas" stickers facing out of the windows, so forensic teams could scrutinise the crime scene. They removed belongings from the property including a computer.

Smith will appear at Cardiff Crown Court on 20 December. It is not known where the children will spend Christmas.

"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," another neighbour said.

"They loved that little boy more than anything – now he's lost his dad in the blink of an eye."

Jex had recently become a grandfather after his daughter from a previous relationship gave birth. The Liverpool fan was described as "the life and soul of the party" by friends.

In a statement, his family said: "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."

Jex and Smith were married at a double wedding in 2011, along with Smith's twin sister Natalie and her partner.

A spokesman for South Wales Police 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."