Salcombe Murder Trial: Devon and Cornwall Police release statement as culprit is jailed

Devon and Cornwall Police release statement following the trial of Jemma Mitchell, who has been found guilty of the murder of Mee Kuen Chong. 

Jemma Mitchell, 38, was sentenced to serve at least 38 years in prison as she was handed a life sentence by Judge Richard Marks KC on Friday. She was found guilty on Thursday, following a two week trial. 

The BBC reports the judge as saying that the fact that the killing was carried out for gain, and the way in which she treated Ms Chong's body were aggravating factors in his sentencing. 

"I am driven to the conclusion that you are extremely devious," he added.

Mitchell became the first murderer and the first woman to be sentenced on television in England and Wales, after rules were changed to allow cameras into courtrooms.

"There is the chilling aspect of what you did to and with her body after you killed her," the judge said.

"You have shown absolutely no remorse and it appears you are in complete denial as to what you did, notwithstanding what in my judgement amounted to overwhelming evidence against you."

Read our round up of the trial here. 

Devon and Cornwall Police have had regular engagement with colleagues from the Metropolitan Police Specialist Crime Division throughout the period since Mee Kuen Chong was discovered deceased in woodland in the Salcombe area in June 2021.

Detective Superintendent Mike West, the Head of Devon & Cornwall Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “The tragic discovery of Ms Chong’s body in Salcombe led to a significant deployment of specialist officers and staff from across our Force and regional area.

"Their painstaking work over many weeks, delivered by our Detectives, Forensic professionals and Intelligence Directorate established the true circumstances of a murder motivated by greed, and identified both the killer and where the offence took place.

“Our teamwork was not limited to the South West. We supported our colleagues in the Metropolitan Police throughout the investigative and judicial process and we are satisfied to hear of the guilty verdict delivered today, noting the praise delivered by HHJ Marks around the ‘excellent and extremely thorough investigative work’ that saw justice served to Ms Chong and her family.”