A woman is accused of stabbing her boyfriend to death at their home and leaving his body to decompose in their bedroom for up to nine days, a court heard. Joanna Cierpka, 51, tried to cut her own throat with an eight-inch kitchen knife when police officers entered her apartment in Newington Causeway, Elephant and Castle, on March 15. Inside, police discovered the partially decomposed body of 52-year-old Henrik Slotsaa in the bedroom. Prosecutor Danny Robinson described how the body showed signs of decomposition and had dried blood pooled around it. Cierpka, originally from Poland, was disarmed and reportedly told police, "I don't want to be helped. You know what happened here? He told me I'm a useless sh-t. He told me I should kill myself." She had a deep cut on her elbow and was taken to the hospital, where she allegedly told staff, "I killed my partner." While Cierpka denies murder, she has admitted to manslaughter. Robinson explained that there is no dispute that Cierpka stabbed Slotsaa with a kitchen knife. However, the prosecution is arguing that her mental state at the time of the killing should determine whether she is guilty of murder or the lesser charge of manslaughter. Cierpka has already pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but the prosecution claims her plea does not fully reflect her responsibility for Slotsaa’s death. Pathologists found 14 sharp-force injuries on Slotsaa, including slash and stab wounds to his face, neck, arms, and legs. Unusual wounds to the backs of both knees were also noted, which the prosecutor suggested may have been an attempt at dismemberment. Police had gone to the apartment after receiving an email from Cierpka stating she was planning to commit suicide. They found the flat in disarray, with many empty wine bottles scattered around. Friends said Cierpka had been struggling emotionally since losing her job at British American Tobacco. Meanwhile, Slotsaa had reportedly been having a romantic relationship with a colleague at Citibank, which may have contributed to the tensions leading up to his death. The trial continues.