Blake Fielder-Civil’s Wife, Once a Romantic Rival of Amy Winehouse, Found Dead at Home

As police investigate the unexplained death, the past has resurfaced alongside it — a past preserved in photographs from festivals and awards shows that tell their own story. Scroll to the end to see the images that framed a turbulent chapter few ever escaped.

The sudden death of Sarah Aspin, a woman once drawn into the turbulent orbit of Amy Winehouse and Blake Fielder-Civil, has sent shockwaves through a quiet Leeds community and reignited public attention to a long-troubled chapter of British pop culture history.

Aspin, 47, was found unresponsive at her flat in Swillington in the early hours of Saturday morning. Emergency services were called following a concern for safety report, but despite being treated by paramedics at the scene, she was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

Police have since confirmed her death is being treated as unexplained. Meanwhile, a man who was present at the property was taken into custody for an offence unrelated to Aspin's death.

Forensic specialists and uniformed officers remained at the flat throughout the weekend, leaving the area only on Sunday evening.

Flowers were later laid outside the front door, marking a sudden and deeply felt loss in what neighbours described as a close-knit and largely peaceful area.

Aspin became publicly known through her relationship with Fielder-Civil, the former husband of Winehouse, after the collapse of their volatile marriage. Winehouse, whose career and personal struggles played out under intense public scrutiny, died in 2011, aged 27.

According to reports, Aspin met Fielder-Civil in rehab around 2009, during a period when he continued an on-off relationship with Winehouse into 2010. Aspin and Fielder-Civil went on to have two children together, although they were reported to have separated in 2018.

Their son was born in May 2011, weeks before Fielder-Civil was jailed for burglary and possession of a firearm. After his release, he reunited with Aspin, and the couple later welcomed a daughter in April 2013.

Residents living nearby described a heavy emergency response on Saturday morning. One neighbour said, "I was passing by the flat at around 8 a.m. on Saturday. That's when I saw the police swarming the property and I thought to myself, something was up."

One neighbour recalled small, everyday interactions, saying, "She once knocked on my door asking for cheese. I know she has knocked on others asking for eggs and a pan."

Another resident said the incident had unsettled the community. "What has happened is sad. It has rocked the community. It is a nice, quiet area. [...] Seeing police like that isn't a common sight," they stated.

In the aftermath of Winehouse's death in July 2011, Aspin spoke publicly about the emotional toll it had taken on Fielder-Civil, who was then serving a sentence at HMP Armley in Leeds.

After visiting him in prison, she said, "He is devastated and shattered. He just can't take it in that she's dead and he'll never see her again."

Despite her own relationship with Fielder-Civil, Aspin openly acknowledged the intensity of his bond with Winehouse. "Blake is the father of our son. But I saw him and Amy together and I know they were really in love and they were soulmates," she said.

"She always loved him and he always loved her. But it was just never going to work," Aspin continued. "Basically, they couldn't live with each other and they could not live without each other."

She also reflected on the personal difficulty of that reality, saying, "It is hard for me knowing he still loved her, but I do understand his feelings."

Addressing Winehouse's struggle following the birth of her son, Aspin revealed, "I think Amy could not get over the fact that Blake and I had had our son, Jack. I think it hit her pretty hard."

She went on to state, "She would have made a fantastic mum, though, despite all her problems. What's happened is so tragic — an absolute waste."

News of Aspin's death prompted an outpouring of reaction online, much of it focused on the impact on her family. One person commented, "Her poor children," while another said, "So sad for her children to lose their mum at such a young age."

Others reflected on her past words about Winehouse, with one person sharing, "She said some very nice things about Amy, sounds like a good person. Sad that she has gone now too."

However, other comments were more critical of Fielder-Civil, as one person said, "That guy is a true grifter and chancer. Absolute joker who destructs everything around him." Another netizen added, "He looks wrong."

A number of commenters also drew comparisons between the deaths of women linked to him. One wrote, "So that's two of his wives," while another claimed, "So 2 of his 'wives' have died in unusual circumstances."

West Yorkshire Police said officers were continuing enquiries as they worked to establish the circumstances surrounding Aspin's death.