I don't remember him being cleared in his first wife's death - just that it had always been considered that she died from natural causes. I think, from memory, that she had some kind of illness that could have explained it - I've just checked and it was epilepsy. But, following his conviction for Helen's murder, the police started looking into Diane's death - I thought for the first time but the wording when he was charged says "after a reinvestigation" which makes me think there were suspicions initially but ultimately it was ruled due to her epilepsy.
The live reporting from Tara Cox for a local newspaper was excellent - like you, I followed every day. My favourite part was when Ian Stewart was giving evidence, his ridiculous story about the two people he alleged had killed Helen, and the police had actually tracked down two men from his old cricket team IIRC, who had the same names and descriptions and quietly led them into court for him to see. Got his pants yanked down in front of everyone
One thing I always remember wondering was did he ever love Helen or was he just after her money from the start? If he's convicted of the death of his first wife then I guess I'll have my answer although I seem to recall that he hadn't claimed her life insurance payout? His defence in Helen's trial made a big thing about him not needing her money because he was independently wealthy. He was off sick from work IIRC but still receiving a good chunk of money every month from sick pay and other things. I may have made all of that up though - it's been a while
EDIT - first report from the new trial is in!
Helen Bailey's killer fiance 'smothered or strangled first wife to death'
A HUSBAND smothered or strangled his wife to death six years before he murdered his millionaire fiancée with a “choke hold”, a court heard. Ian Stewart, 61, allegedly killed Diane Stewa…
www.thesun.co.uk
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Rikki Neave murder trial has also opened today:
‘Fundamental error’ meant child killing went unsolved for 20 years, court told
James Watson, 40, denies murdering six-year-old Rikki Neave in November 1994.
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