Gareeca Conita Gordon, 28, appeared before Bristol Crown Court today
Gareeca Conita Gordon, 28, appeared before Bristol Crown Court today (Picture: Andrew Lloyd/SWNS/PA)

A woman has admitted murder after killing Phoenix Netts, 28, then cutting up her body with a circular saw.

Gareeca Conita Gordon, also 28, appeared before Bristol Crown Court today where she admitted the crime.

Charges state that she killed Ms Netts at some point between April 14 and May 12 last year.

Phoenix’s remains were found in suitcases beside a quarry near Coleford, Gloucestershire.

Gordon, from Birmingham, is in custody at Eastwood Park prison.

She had been due to stand trial on Monday but admitted the charges today, speaking only to confirm her identify and plead guilty.

Police at the scene at Stowfield Quarry near Coleford in the Forest of Dean
Police at the scene at Stowfield Quarry near Coleford in the Forest of Dean (Picture: Andrew Lloyd)

Judge Peter Blair QC, the Recorder of Bristol, told Gordon she would return to court for a sentencing hearing on May 4.

Phoenix was found dead after a member of the public reported suspicions to police about a vehicle due to its erratic driving.

The car had been driving on the A4136 near Coleford on the evening on May 12.

Officers located the car and spoke to two people, a man and a woman, who were then arrested.

Two suitcases were found to contain human remains, later identified as those of Phoenix.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said Gordon murdered Phoenix in the shared accommodation property in Birmingham where they both lived.

She then carried out a series of ‘detailed, organised actions’ to suggest that Ms Netts was alive, while taking steps to dispose of her body.

Gordon contacted friends and family of the victim by messages, emails and sometimes voicecalls, pretending to be her and indicating that she was leaving the address and moving to London.

Phoenix Netts, 28, whose remains were found in suitcases last year
Phoenix Netts, 28, whose remains were found in suitcases last year (Picture: PA)

She also bought a circular saw to dismember the victim’s body and made several visits to the Coleford area before her arrest on May 12.

The victim’s family released a statement through West Midlands Police.

They said they were ‘devastated with what has happened’ and asked for their privacy to be respected.

Last year, a judge dismissed a charge against a second defendant in the case, Mahesh Sorathiya.

Mr Sorathiya, from Wolverhampton, had been accused of assisting an offender, namely Gordon.

Lesley Milner, a senior crown prosecutor with the CPS, said: ‘Gareeca Gordon committed a truly gruesome crime and tried to cover her tracks.

‘Thankfully, the remarkable and detailed police investigation in identifying Phoenix Netts led to the CPS building a compelling case against Gordon, which resulted in her pleading guilty.

‘She has now accepted the totality and consequences of her actions.

‘Our thoughts today are with the family and friends of Phoenix Netts for their tragic loss.’

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