A man has been charged with the murder of his wife following the discovery of her body at the base of cliffs on the Channel Island of Alderney. Hannah Benfield, 34, a mother of two, was found in the sea on Monday at a location known as The Guns on the island's western coast. Simon Benfield, 44, a resident of Alderney, has been remanded in custody pending his next court appearance.
The emergency call was received at 23:04 BST on Sunday 27 September, with Channel Islands Air Search reporting the first sighting of a person in the water at 04:28 the following morning. Guernsey Police said the inquiry involved a "complex" process requiring "meticulous work", with officers from Jersey and south-west England, along with Guernsey Customs and Immigration staff, assisting in the investigation.
Simon Benfield appeared at Guernsey Magistrates' Court following his charge and has been remanded in custody until his next appearance on 28 October. Police said they were not seeking any other suspects and did not believe there was an ongoing risk to Alderney's wider community.
Significance for the island community
This marks the first murder investigation in Alderney in approximately 30 years, according to police. Alderney, the most northerly of the Channel Islands, has a population of around 2,000 residents, making it a close-knit community where such an incident carries particular weight. Guernsey Police acknowledged that the murder "will be felt particularly deeply across such a close-knit community" and stated that officers and specialist staff would remain on the island over the coming days to continue investigative work and provide visible reassurance to residents.
What police are asking for
Investigators are seeking dashcam footage from specific locations and times that could assist their inquiry. Police asked for dashcam footage from Rue De Longis and other parts of Alderney's west recorded between 19:30 and 23:00 BST on Sunday 27 September. Guernsey Police encouraged anyone in Alderney with information, however minor it may seem, to speak directly with officers on the island or contact the force.
Family's message
Hannah's family, which operates Alderney Farm Shop, released a statement expressing their gratitude for community support during the difficult period.
We just want to say the biggest thank you to everyone who has supported us over these last few days. It's been an unimaginably painful week and the kindness, messages, hugs, offers of help and simple acts of support from people across the island have meant more than we can say. Our incredible staff are much more than staff... they're our extended family. We're looking after each other, getting through this together and doing what we know Hannah would want us to do.
What happens next
Simon Benfield is scheduled to appear in court again on 28 October, when further proceedings in the case will take place.
Key Facts
- Hannah Benfield, 34, was a mother of two and a member of the family that runs Alderney Farm Shop
- Her body was discovered at The Guns, a location on Alderney's western coast, on Monday 28 September
- This is the first murder investigation on Alderney in approximately 30 years
- Alderney has a population of around 2,000 and is the most northerly of the Channel Islands
- Police confirmed no other suspects are being sought and there is no ongoing risk to the wider community
