Claire Button, the South Ockendon Child Killer, has been indicted for murder in connection with the death of five-year-old Lincoln Button in South Ockendon. Essex Police announced that its investigators are still conducting a “highly sensitive investigation” on an incident that occurred on Windstar Drive on the afternoon of Sunday, December 15, one week prior.
Law enforcement officials collaborated with paramedics in an attempt to preserve Lincoln Button’s life following a call to the location. They immediately reacted to allegations indicating significant worries regarding the well-being of a child and a woman. The woman was admitted to the hospital for treatment, and her health improved. Claire Button has since been released from prison and interrogated.
In connection with the ongoing police investigation, 35-year-old Claire Button, residing on Windstar Drive in South Ockendon, has been charged with murder. She is scheduled to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court on Monday, December 23.
Detective Chief Inspector Alan Blakesley, who is overseeing the Essex Police probe, stated: “This remains an exceedingly intricate inquiry into the demise of a young child.” The investigation team and I extend our condolences to the family of Lincoln Button as we continue to provide support during this difficult period.
“It has taken a huge amount of work and dedication from the investigative team to reach this stage in our investigation, and I would continue to call upon the public to refrain from speculating about the circumstances around this case.
“Any case as harrowing as this will understandably attract attention. But, as we move to the point of charge, the time has come to respect the judicial process and to continue allowing Lincoln’s family privacy and the space to grieve.”
UPDATE 26.12.24
A woman charged with the murder of her five-year-old son has been placed in custody by a judge after her initial court appearance.
Claire Button, accused of murdering Lincoln Button, appeared via video link from HMP Peterborough during a hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday.
According to Essex Police, the kid succumbed to injuries sustained during an incident on Windstar Drive, South Ockendon, on Sunday, December 15.
Law enforcement was sent to the location due to grave worries over the well-being of a youngster and a mother. During the court proceedings on Tuesday, the 35-year-old Button merely affirmed her identity and was not required to submit a plea.
No bail application was submitted.
Judge Christopher Morgan ordered Button to be held in jail until a plea hearing is scheduled at Basildon Crown Court on 20 January.
UPDATE 21.01.25
Claire Button, accused of murdering Lincoln Button, appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Monday.
A 36-year-old resident of Windstar Drive in South Ockendon, Essex, Claire Button, did not enter a plea and is scheduled for trial commencing on 19 May, according to a court official.
Essex Police reported that police collaborated with paramedics in an attempt to save Lincoln after responding to a call at an address on Windstar Drive on 15 December of the previous year.
The police originally responded to allegations indicating significant concerns for the welfare of a child and a lady, the department stated.
A woman was hospitalised for treatment, and her condition has improved, according to law enforcement.
Claire Button, currently in detention, is scheduled to appear before the court for an administrative hearing during the week commencing 7 April, according to a court spokesperson.
UPDATE 18.10.25
On 15 December, Claire Button murdered her son, Lincoln Button, before attempting suicide in South Ockendon, Essex.
The 35-year-old told jurors at Basildon Crown Court she was struggling to deal with behaviour from Lincoln, who was autistic, and voices in her head were saying “we didn’t belong in this world”.
Judge Samantha Leigh stated that it was one of the most challenging cases she had overseen and scheduled sentencing for Friday.
Claire Button wept when the jury rendered its unanimous judgment following eight hours and four minutes of deliberation.
Lincoln’s death was discovered by his father, Nicky, upon his return from work to their residence on Windstar Drive on December 15.
In a bizarre statement, he stood by, the murderer of his son, Claire Button, during the trial, saying in an interview with police she had been “fighting demons” and was the “sweetest person you’ll ever meet”.
She was “getting dragged outside 15 times a day” by Lincoln, Mr Button said, claiming she had not revealed the extent of her mental turmoil in the weeks leading up to the murder.
Mr Button explained his wife was diagnosed with depression in August 2024 and had struggled to deal with Lincoln’s “high maintenance” nature.
She was a “devoted” and “fantastic” mother, he told jurors. [Where was he throughout all this?]
Lincoln, a Year 1 pupil at mainstream Bonnygate Primary School, was non-verbal and lived with autism, developmental delay and ADHD.
His mother said she began experiencing suicidal thoughts when Lincoln had a “meltdown” following a trip to Lidl on the morning of 15 December.
She described hearing a “dark, deep, scary, demanding” voice in her head when they got home and called the emergency services, but was told there was a 10-hour wait for help.
“I just thought the ambulance service didn’t want to help if they were going to take that long, and the voice told me I had to go through with it,” she said in her evidence.
Claire Button smothered her son and left a note that read: “He does not fit in the world, and where he doesn’t fit, I don’t either.”
Claire Button entered a guilty plea to a reduced charge of manslaughter; however, both the prosecutors and the jury dismissed this plea.
During the trial, Lincoln was characterised by his father and grandmother as possessing a fondness for trains and a strong attachment to his mother.
His grandmother said Claire Button – her daughter – “must have been going through hell” before the murder.
Jamie Warren, a member of the family, told the BBC earlier this year he was an “all-round happy kid, who loved his toys”.
Thanking jurors for their service, Judge Leigh said: “For me, [this was] one of the most difficult [cases] I’ve done in 30 years.”
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