Babestation killer who strangled mum-of-nine, 79, before calling sex chat lines as she lay dying is found dead in prison

A DEPRAVED killer who strangled a 79-year-old mum before calling sex chat lines as she lay dying has been found dead in prison.

Gareth Dack used a ligature to kill Norma Bell and then set her home on fire in a bid to destroy the evidence in 2016.

PA:Press AssociationGareth Dack died in HMP Frankland on Monday[/caption] PANorma Bell, 79, had fostered more than 50 children throughout her life[/caption] PADack set fire to Norma’s home to destroy evidence of his crime[/caption]

The 41-year-old, who was jailed for a minimum of 33 years, has now

been found dead at HMP Frankland, near Durham, on Monday.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: “Gareth Dack died on April 21 2025 at HMP Frankland.

“As with all deaths in custody, the Prison and Probation Ombudsman will investigate.”

Dack attacked Mrs Bell, a widowed mother of nine, cut up her clothing, then called sex chat lines as she lay dead or dying.

He then tried to set fire to her house in a bid to destroy the evidence.

The father of four was jailed for life following a three-week trial at Teesside Crown Court.

Sentencing, the trial judge said: “You killed Norma Bell in cold blood in her own home when she was defenceless.

“She had done nothing to deserve your violence, then you set fire to her home in a failed attempt to cover your tracks.”

Widow Norma had nine children, six of whom were adopted, and was known locally in Hartlepool, Teesside, as a generous woman.

But desperate addict Dack exploited that generosity when he needed cash for cocaine and cannabis.

Dack was a drug user, heavily in debt and had pressured her to lend him £10 the week before.

He returned a week later on April 2 last year with a view to taking more cash and attacked Norma before ransacking her house.

Dack left the house twice – to sell the telly to a pal and then to take drugs with the friend – both times returning to Norma’s house to make more calls to chatlines.

Norma and her late husband John had three sons and were parents to six long-term foster children they considered their own.

A family statement after the trial said Norma had a “heart as big as a lion”.

The heartfelt statement added: “Her murder has left an enormous gap in our lives and forgiveness will never be given.”