A woman who survived a brutal attack by her abusive ex says she felt “a big relief” after learning of his death in prison.
Martina “Tina” Turner, 57, was stabbed 29 times by Steven Wood in her kitchen in May 2021. Miraculously, she survived by hiding in a cupboard with a knife still lodged in her chest and calling emergency services for help. Wood was arrested and later jailed for life with a minimum of 12 years.
Wood passed away last week while serving his sentence at HMP Frankland in County Durham. Tina described his death as a relief, explaining that victims of domestic abuse live with constant fear—even when their abuser is behind bars. “There was always that fear he could get back into my life,” she said. “It’s a relief he’s not there anymore… it’s not over for the victim when their abuser goes to jail.”
Even years later, Tina still deals with the trauma. She avoids going out alone, sticks close to others in public, and remains hyper-aware in crowded places. “He told me he had to ‘finish me off.’ That sticks with you for the rest of your life,” she revealed.
Tina spent six weeks in the hospital after the attack, enduring multiple surgeries for injuries to her heart, spine, and legs. “The trauma is there every day,” she said.
Wood’s death, which occurred on September 17 after he was transported to hospital from Frankland, is now under investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman. For Tina, however, knowing he can no longer hurt anyone else brings a small measure of peace. “It’s a relief that in the future he can’t do it to another woman,” she said.
