THE family of a successful business woman murdered by her husband say she was like a star that will shine forever in their hearts.

Mark Campbell, 53, was jailed for life yesterday after first trying to suffocate Olga Pleguezuelos, 35, with a pillow as she slept, and then stabbing her in the head, neck and face as she tried to escape.

He then spent hours researching methods of taking his own life before lying next to her on the bed of their Harrow-on-the-Hill home and cutting his own wrists and throat, in a failed suicide bid.

Olga's Parents and sister Eva said in a statement: “A terrible and tragic situation has taken place.

“Olga had a heart full of humanity, great vitality, energy and zest for life, which her killer ripped out. It has left us with a profound and painful inner desolation.

“It has been such a privilege that she was part of all of us, of our life, of our family, leaving with us a legacy full positivity, fortitude, joy, work, dedication.

“She has been like a star which shines with its own light and forever, inside our heart.”

Mrs Pleguezuelos was preparing to start a new life in Las Vegas without her husband and had returned to visit him at their Elmfield Close flat, which he had decorated with love hearts as he awaited her return.

She had been promoted by her casino gaming company Aristocrat Technologies and wrote in her diary just days before the murder, in October: “I have a fit body, I am beautiful. I have everything, I feel alive.”

She had started a relationship with someone else and Campbell claimed during his two week Old Bailey trial that his brutal attack was triggered by a text message she received from the other man.

He broke down in the witness box as he was shown images of the flat as he had decorated it for her and had to be led back down to the cells to compose himself.

He was ordered to server a minimum of 14 years for his crime.

Detective Chief Inspector Tim Duffield, of the Met's murder squad, said: “Mark Campbell had steadfastly refused to admit his guilt but rather attempted to apportion blame on Olga, claiming he had temporarily lost control after finding out about a supposed indiscretion.

“We believe this was nothing more than a cynical ploy to shift the blame and his actions were those of a callous and controlling individual who would rather kill his wife than see her living independently.”