Tragic Murder of University Worker: The Case of David Browning
In a shocking incident, university employee David Browning fatally stabbed his boss, Jillian Howell, in a brutal knife attack at her residence. After committing the crime, he inscribed the word “bully” across her forehead before fleeing the scene. Browning later called emergency services from outside a police station and surrendered himself to authorities.
In total, Browning inflicted 15 stab wounds on Howell using a hunting knife after attending a dinner invitation at her home. The disturbing details of this case will be explored in the Channel 5 documentary series A Killer Makes A Call, which airs on Tuesday, March 11, at 10 PM. This narrative delves into the events leading up to the murder and the psychological factors that drove Browning to take such drastic actions.
Who is David Browning and What Led to the Tragedy?
David Browning, a 56-year-old married father of two, resided in Seaford, East Sussex. Described as living a life that exemplified ordinary suburban normality, he held a position in the payroll department of the University of Brighton since 1989. In 2015, Jillian Howell was appointed as the new manager of his department. Reports indicate that tensions arose between them, particularly regarding changes Howell sought to implement in the workplace. Browning alleged that Howell often shouted at him and belittled him, which contributed to a growing sense of frustration.
In 2016, Browning faced a personal tragedy with the death of his father, who fell from a ladder. This loss significantly impacted Browning’s mental health, leading to depression. Howell, having also experienced the loss of her parents and serving as a volunteer for the charity Samaritans, attempted to assist Browning during this tumultuous period. In June 2017, they shared a drink at a local pub, and Browning subsequently texted Howell to express his admiration, stating, “I adore you personally and professionally.”
As the weeks passed, Browning’s mental state appeared to decline further, and he began voicing suicidal thoughts. Howell encouraged him to seek help from the university’s occupational health team, which he did, attending his final appointment on October 24, 2017. The following day, on October 25, Browning was invited to Howell’s home for dinner once more.
In a chilling turn of events, he arrived with a hired van containing a shotgun, a bag filled with clean clothes, cable ties, and wires, along with a hunting knife concealed in his coat pocket, a bottle of wine, and flowers. Before dinner, he had also sent out suicide letters. After sharing a curry, Howell, 46, asked Browning to leave as she had an early commitment the next day. He hesitated, claiming he couldn’t return home because he had mailed his suicide notes. In an attempt to help him, Howell offered to drive him to the hospital. However, as she bent down to lace her trainers, Browning struck, stabbing her in the back.
As Howell fell, Browning continued his assault, delivering multiple stabs to her throat and chest. In a later court recounting, Browning recalled Howell’s desperate cries: “You bastard!” to which he responded, “I’m sorry Jill, this is what mental health does to you.” After he ended her life, he called the Samaritans and went so far as to write the word “bully” on her forehead and scrawl graffiti on the wall, attempting to implicate her friend Sean McDonald in the attack.
Where is David Browning Now?
After committing the heinous act, Browning left Howell’s body in her home for approximately six hours before calling 999 from outside a police station in the early hours of October 26. Upon surrendering to police, he requested to be sectioned. During his trial at Hove Crown Court in April 2018, Browning denied murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. However, he was ultimately convicted of murder the following month and sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 28 years.
In her sentencing remarks, Judge Christine Laing QC stated, “Jillian Howell was a much-loved sister, cousin, niece, and friend. At 46 years old, she was brutally murdered by you in a savage attack, sustaining 15 stab wounds. In her final moments, she desperately tried to defend herself. The terror and trauma she experienced are unimaginable. She was a compassionate woman, a quality that cost her her life. She took the time to listen to you and sought ways to help you. You developed a crush that turned into an obsession. What led you to kill her was a complex mix of emotions: desire, jealousy, frustration, and anger. Throughout this trial, I have observed you closely, and you have shown little emotion or remorse, except for your own circumstances.”
