Murder suspect Russell Yeates has committed suicide in Bullingdon Prison overnight, it was confirmed to the Oxford Mail this morning.

Yeates, 49, was on trial for the murder of his wife Debbie Smith at their Bell Lane home in Wheatley over a Bank Holiday weekend in May last year.

During his trial, which started on Monday, the “extremely violent” carpenter is said to have chased Ms Smith, 47, through the streets of Wheatley before slitting her throat in a frenzied attack.

An inquiry will now start as to how a man was able to take his life at the start of a murder trial under the noses of security guards.

A source told the Oxford Mail that Yeates’s body was only discovered this morning as security staff tried to wake him to be taken to court for the third day of his trial at Oxford Crown Court.

It is understood Yeates was assessed by prison staff when he arrived at Bullingdon Prison to determine whether he was at risk of self-harm or suicide.

But Yeates was not subject to a prison Open Suicide Self-Harm Document. If a prisoner is determined a suicide risk and subject to the document measures can be imposed including moving the inmate to a “safe cell” or ensure regular visits throughout the day and night.

A spokesman for the Prison Service said: “HMP Bullingdon prisoner Russell Yeates was found in his cell at 5:30am this morning. “Mr Yeates was pronounced dead at the scene. "As with all deaths in custody, the prisons and probation ombudsman will conduct an investigation."

Det Insp Colin Seaton, Thames Valley Police major crime, said detectives were called to the prison this morning.

He added: “Police are currently investigating an unexplained death at Bullingdon Prison of a male prisoner who has been identified by the prison service as Russell Yeates.

"His family have been informed of the death and at this stage there are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death."