A British Airways captain who bludgeoned his millionaire wife to death more than 13 years ago is the subject of a new ITV documentary.

Robert Brown, formerly of Winkfield in Berkshire, notoriously dubbed "the British Airways killer", murdered his ex-wife, Joanna Simpson, in 2010.

Known for his occupation as an airline pilot, Brown attacked Ms Simpson at her residence under the watch of their two young children.

Soon after, the former pilot decided to dispose of her body in the boot of his car, all before depositing their children at his residence.

Ms Simpson was beaten repeatedly with a claw hammer before being buried in a hastily constructed coffin in Windsor Great Park.

The following day, Brown alerted the authorities to a domestic dispute but refused to contribute to their ongoing investigation.

Brown suggested he was ruled unfairly by a prenuptial contract that denied him access to any aspect of his ex-wife's trust fund.

The home in which the family lived was solely in Ms Simpson's possession, and the couple were due in court to determine financial disputes and finalise their divorce.

Joanna Simpson's mother has openly stated that Brown "was a danger to anybody he came in contact with."

Despite confessing to the killing, he was released of charges relating to murder in May 2011 at Reading Crown Court.

Instead, he was imprisoned for admitting to manslaughter resulting from a diminished sense of responsibility.

As part of the evidence presented in court, it was established that Brown was suffering from an adjustment disorder, an emotional or behavioural reaction to stress or trauma that may bring about rare episodes of violence.

His sentence totalled 26 years, of which 24 years were for manslaughter and the additional two were for the obstruction of a coroner performing his duties.

Ms Simpson, who was 46 at the time of her untimely killing, came from the Isle of Man.

She attended Bath University and went on to run a prosperous five-star bed and breakfast business in Ascot.

A foundation founded in her honour offers support to children who have been exposed to domestic abuse and homicide.

Brown was originally expected to be automatically released in November 2023, halfway through his sentence.

However, this expectation was overturned when Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk enacted relatively new powers in October of last year to keep Brown incarcerated.

Mr Chalk, who also holds the role of Justice Secretary, referred to Brown's "appalling case" in his decision to refer the matter to the Parole Board to determine Brown's suitability for release.

The Lord Chancellor emphasized that Joanna Simpson was savagely attacked and buried by Robert Brown, leaving two children devoid of their mother and causing irreparable damage to her family and loved ones.

The course of action to halt Brown's release was significantly influenced by Ms Simpson’s best friend, Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, and her family, most notably her mother Diana Parkes.

They received backing from Carrie Johnson, the spouse of ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The show 'The British Airways Killer' is available to watch on ITVX.