Dad murdered with poisoned porridge and favourite tie

When Francis Kelley thought his breakfast tasted odd, he knew exactly who was to blame

- GAIL SHORTLAND

As Francis Kelley ate his crunchy, almond-topped porridge, he noticed it had a different taste from usual. After spooning in another mouthful he began to feel light-headed and confused and groggily reached for his mobile. He had a terrible suspicion about what had happened - but could hardly believe it. And as he typed a message, he felt his chest tighten.

It was January 2021 and he was embroiled in a custody battle over his two-year-old daughter with ex-girlfriend Heidi Littlefield.

They were struggling to co-parent amicably and a court hearing was scheduled for the end of the month as Francis had complained that his ex was violating their parenting agreement.

Being a good father was important to Francis, who also had a nine-year-old daughter with another former girlfriend. Littlefield had an older daughter, too, Logan Runyon, now 23.

The couple's relationship had been tumultuous and Littlefield would sometimes complain about her ex to Runyon and her boyfriend, Robert Walker, now 30. Soon, though, Francis was no longer a problem.

On 18 January, the mother of his older daughter contacted the police to say Francis hadn't picked the child up and that she hadn't heard from him for a few days. When officers went to his home in Carmel, Indiana, they found him dead on the sofa.

A post-mortem examination revealed he'd died from asphyxia due to strangulation and had suffered head injuries. Toxicology reports also showed that he had fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, in his system, suggesting Francis had been poisoned, too.

FIGHTING FOR LIFE

When investigators examined his mobile phone, they found he'd messaged Littlefield on 15 January and accused her of tampering with his porridge.

"Did you do something to the oatmeal that was in my fridge?" he'd asked.