A WIFE is believed to have killed her husband, wrapped his body in plastic sheets and kept it secret for 18 years.
Former fireman John Sabine was today identified as a mystery skeleton found in the garden of an apartment block in a quiet Welsh village having not been seen since 1997.
Detectives investigating the grim discovery say his wife Leigh Sabine is the "main suspect" in their probe in to death of her husband.
His body was found above ground last month - just three weeks after his own wife Leigh Ann Sabine died aged 74 from cancer.
John Sabine was never reported as a missing person despite not being seen for 18 years - and was still listed on the electoral register as living at the same house.
Police say he would now have been 85 years of age if he had lived.
New Zealand-born Mrs Sabine had carried on living in the same apartment block in Beddau, near Pontypridd, South Wales, since her husband was last seen in 1997.
Cops later revealed the couple had "estranged children" who did not report Mr Sabine as being missing.
A spokesman said: "The circumstances of where the body was concealed is part of the ongoing investigation."
Police confirmed Mrs Sabine had died of cancer and that her funeral had already taken place.
His body was found in plastic wrapping in their garden in a street called Trem-Y-Cwm three weeks after her death.
Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Morgan said: "This is an extraordinary set of circumstances and we are working tirelessly to put together the pieces of what is a complex investigation."
A police spokesman said: "He is believed to have moved to Trem-Y-Cwm with his wife Leigh Ann Sabine in February 1997.
"DNA evidence has confirmed the identity of Mr Sabine, who was last seen in 1997.
"Mrs Sabine passed away on 30th October 2015 and is currently the main suspect in this investigation."
A post-mortem examination established Mr Sabine had injuries "consistent with an assault".
Neighbours are believed to have found the human remains in grounds at the apartment block.
DCI Morgan said: "We would appreciate hearing from anyone who knew John and Leigh (Ann) Sabine and who may have socialised with them or met them back in 1996-1997.
"We would also appeal directly to the community in and around Trem-Y-Cwm to contact us with any information they may have in relation to the plastic wrapping that Mr Sabine was concealed in."
Police confirmed the body was lying above ground but was wrapped in plastic sheeting.
Neighbour Violet Scott, 75, said: "It is a complete mystery but I cannot believe the body has been there for all these years.
"Leigh was a very talkative and outgoing woman but it is hard to comprehend what has happened.
"I didn't know her husband but I know he was a fireman and we all thought he died a dozen or so years ago.
"It could be that she kept his body in her home and then decided to move it when she knew her own end was close.
Mrs Scott said: "Leigh could be very straightforward but it is difficult to think she could have killed someone. She had another man living for for a few years but he left - I don't know what happened to him.
"I asked Leigh if she would ever go back to New Zeland. But she told me: "No - I could never leave here."
Neighbour Sharon Rowlands, 42, said: "It is terrible to think what has gone on - without any of us knowing.
"We had no idea there was a dead body there until police arrived."
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