Tarryn Baird, just 34 years old, was found dead at her family home in Swindon in November 2017. Her death, initially a tragedy, has now become the focus of a harrowing trial, revealing a hidden life consumed by control and fear.
The prosecution alleges a sustained period of abuse, unfolding “behind closed doors” throughout her marriage to Christopher Trybus. Both Tarryn and Christopher were originally from South Africa, relocating to the UK in 2007 and marrying two years later, establishing a life in Swindon.
Tarryn worked various jobs, eventually finding employment administering tasks for her husband’s software company. This role required Christopher to travel extensively, yet the prosecution argues his control extended even across continents, a constant presence in her life despite the distance.
The court heard that Christopher systematically sought to dominate numerous facets of their relationship. This wasn’t simply about managing finances or schedules; it was a pervasive control that eroded Tarryn’s independence and, ultimately, her spirit.
Prosecutors contend that this control, coupled with physical and sexual violence – and the ever-present threat of it – significantly contributed to Tarryn’s declining mental health. It wasn’t the sole cause of her despair, but a critical factor in her devastating decision.
Despite repeatedly contemplating escape, Tarryn remained trapped. The prosecution asserts that Christopher’s control was so absolute, her fear of the repercussions so profound, that she felt unable to leave. She saw only one way to break free – a final, desperate act of self-determination.
On the morning of her death, Tarryn reached out for help, contacting a mental health team and expressing suicidal thoughts. Later, she made a chilling call to emergency services, requesting they find her body. Her final act was a plea for understanding, and a heartbreaking farewell.
In a note left for her family, Tarryn expressed her sorrow and acknowledged their potential incomprehension. She spoke of a “dark cloud” she couldn’t articulate, and begged them not to be broken by her loss, assuring them she was finally “free.”
The central question for the jury, the prosecutor stated, is to determine what unbearable burden drove Tarryn to such a desperate act, and whether that burden was the result of her husband’s controlling and manipulative behavior.
Christopher Trybus, a software consultant and developer, is currently on bail, denying the charges of manslaughter, controlling and coercive behavior, and rape. The trial is expected to last several weeks, promising a deeply unsettling exploration of a life tragically lost.
