A tragic incident unfolded as a woman found herself caught in a deadly love triangle, recounting how her ex-partner fatally stabbed her new boyfriend with a kitchen knife while she tried to intervene. Michael James, 45, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for manslaughter after the fatal altercation that led to the death of Bradley Hollis, 35. The heartbreaking event took place in Sheffield, where Zara Tolley, the witness and former partner of James, shared a residence with him despite their separation.
Zara revealed that she had been in a relationship with James for a decade, and though they were planning to marry in August 2024, their bond deteriorated when she met and fell in love with Mr. Hollis during Christmas 2023. Their relationship blossomed, resulting in them spending a night together in April 2024. Zara admitted mishandling the situation by not ending things with James before pursuing a romance with Mr. Hollis, leading her to call off the wedding.
Expressing concerns over James’ behavior, Zara disclosed receiving threatening messages from him warning against Mr. Hollis getting close to her and her children. The situation escalated to a violent confrontation on the night of the tragic event, with James allegedly attacking Zara before engaging in a physical altercation with Mr. Hollis, ultimately resulting in the fatal stabbing.
Despite efforts by paramedics, Mr. Hollis could not be saved and was pronounced dead at the scene. Police bodycam footage captured James’ arrest following the incident, where he was found hiding in a shed. During the court proceedings at Sheffield Crown Court, Judge Graham Reeds KC condemned James’ actions, attributing them to a mix of jealousy and concern, ultimately leading to the untimely death of Mr. Hollis, leaving a profound impact on his loved ones.
In light of this devastating event, support services such as the National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline and AAFDA are available for those in need of assistance or advocacy in cases of domestic abuse.
