Who Is Katherine Knight? Age, Biography and Wiki
Born on October 24, 1955, Katherine Knight is one of Australia’s most infamous women. She gained notoriety for her heinous crime in 2000, when she murdered her partner, John Price, and became the first woman in Australia to be sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Knight is often referred to as "Australia's female Hannibal Lecter" due to the gruesome nature of her crime.
As of 2025, Katherine Knight is 69 years old. Her life story has sparked interest and horror alike, leading to extensive media coverage and a fascination with her life both pre- and post-crime.
| Occupation | Criminals |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 24, 1955 |
| Age | 69 Years |
| Birth Place | Tenterfield, New South Wales, Australia |
| Horoscope | Scorpio |
| Country | Australia |
Popularity
Katherine Knight's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Katherine Knight stands at approximately 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) tall. Her weight has fluctuated over the years, especially during her imprisonment; however, she is known to have a robust physique. Given her history, specific measurements are not widely circulated or documented.
In February 2000, a series of assaults on Price culminated with Knight stabbing him in the chest. Finally fed up, he kicked her out of his house. On 28 February, he stopped at the Scone Magistrate's Court on his way to work and took out a restraining order in an attempt to keep her away from both himself and his children.
That afternoon, Price told his co-workers that if he did not come to work the next day, it would be because Knight had murdered him. Despite their pleas that Price should not return home, he stated that he was afraid Knight would kill his children if he did not.
Price arrived home to find that Knight, although not there herself, had sent the children away for a sleep-over at a friend's house. He then spent the evening with his neighbours before returning home and going to bed at 11 pm.
Earlier that day, Knight had bought new black lingerie and had videotaped all her children while making comments which have since been interpreted as crude will. She later arrived at Price's house while he was sleeping and sat watching television for a few minutes before having a shower.
She then woke Price and they had sex, after which he fell asleep.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Katherine Knight comes from a troubled background, born into a family marked by violence and dysfunction. She has been married multiple times and has four children. By 2025, Knight remains incarcerated and is not known to have a boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife. Her past relationships, notably with John Price, often ended in turmoil and violence, solidifying her notorious reputation.
Her mother, Barbara Roughan (née Thorley; 1930-1986), had been married to Scottish-born John "Jack" Roughan and lived with him in the small town of Aberdeen in New South Wales' Hunter Valley. They had four sons before Barbara began an adulterous relationship with Kenneth "Ken" Charles Knight (1927-2009), a friend and co-worker of her then-husband.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Katherine Knight's net worth remains largely undisclosed due to her imprisonment. Prior to her incarceration, she was known to work in various roles, primarily in the meat industry, which provided her with a modest salary. Any financial gains from her life story remain complicated by her criminal history and current legal circumstances.
Knight met 38-year-old miner David Saunders in 1986. A few months later, he moved in with her and her daughters, although he kept his old apartment in Scone. Knight soon became jealous of what he did when she was not around and would often throw him out. He would move back to his apartment, where she would invariably follow and beg him to return.
In May 1987, Knight cut the throat of Saunders' two-month-old dingo pup in front of him, for no more reason than as an example of what would happen if he ever had an affair, before going on to knock him unconscious with a frying pan.
In June 1988, she gave birth to a third daughter, Sarah, which prompted Saunders to put a deposit on a house; Knight paid off the deposit when her workers' compensation came through in 1989. Knight decorated the house throughout with animal skins, skulls, horns, rusty animal traps, leather jackets, old boots, machetes, rakes and pitchforks.
No space, including the ceilings, was left uncovered.
Career, Business and Investments
Katherine Knight worked as a butcher and had various jobs throughout her life. Her connection to the meat industry factored heavily into her crime, as grisly details emerged about her life and actions post-murder. After her arrest, and as a high-profile inmate, she was the subject of numerous documentaries and media speculation, but she is not actively engaged in any business or investments.
Upon leaving school at age 15, without having learned to read or write, she gained employment as a cutter in a clothing factory. Twelve months later, she left to start what she referred to as her "dream job": cutting up offal at the local abattoir. There, she was quickly promoted to boning and was given her own set of butchers' knives.
At home, the knives were hung over her bed so, as Knight said, that they "would always be handy if I needed them", a habit she continued—until her incarceration—everywhere she lived. Townsfolk in Aberdeen later remembered Knight for physically threatening anyone who upset her.
Social Network
Katherine Knight is not known to have any active presence on social media. Given her notoriety and the nature of her crimes, it is unlikely that a platform would permit her to maintain an account or engage with the public. Most discussions about her occur in true crime forums, documentaries, and news articles rather than on personal social media channels.
Education
Details about Katherine Knight's education remain sparse. It is known that she struggled in her youth, facing challenges at home and ultimately leading to emotional distress. Her lack of formal education has been suggested as a contributing factor to her tumultuous adult life.
When she attended Muswellbrook high school, Knight became a loner and is remembered by classmates as a bully who stood over smaller pupils. She assaulted at least one boy at school with a weapon and was once injured by a teacher, who was subsequently found to have acted in self-defence. By contrast, when not in a rage, Knight was a model student and often earned awards for her good behaviour.
