She then rang 999 and claimed the unemployed 24-year-old had accidentally stabbed himself while they were ‘messing around’ in the caravan they shared in Heysham, Lancashire.
But at Preston Crown Court last week she was convicted of murder and jailed for life.
The jury heard the couple met at Palmer’s hair salon – the Costa Del Sol in Lancaster – when he went in to get a haircut.
Far from being rosy, their relationship was described as being ‘stormy’ and ‘on-off’.
Months before his death, Mr Searson bought a new mobile phone which he used to post topless selfie pictures on Facebook.
Beneath one, Palmer commented ‘Gross’. Searson responded: ‘Didn’t expect any different to come out of your mouth f****** gob*****.’
Despite their frequent arguments, the pair moved in together in July 2015.
In the days before his death, they began rowing over text.
In one message, Palmer said: ‘Crying myself to sleep for the second time this week and it’s only Wednesday. Thanks Damon. I’m so angry and hurt I honestly want to f****** stab you.’
On the night of the killing on August 13, Palmer began moaning to a pal via Facebook that Searson was once again browsing the social network, adding friends.
She claimed she paid the rent while he spent money on a mobile phone and shopping, insisting she was planing to leave him and move back in with her mother.
In her post, Palmer said: ‘All he does is sits there and adds loads of girls. He’s a f****** little prick. I’m fuming with him.’
Just after midnight, a neighbour at the caravan park heard the couple rowing before Palmer knocked on his door in a state of distress.
Searson was found lying on the floor, bleeding heavily from a wound to his chest. On the settee was a bread knife, covered in blood.
He was taken to Lancaster Royal Infirmary where he died later.
When Palmer was told by police her boyfriend had died, she said: ‘I didn’t mean for it to get him.’
A 999 call made by Palmer was played to the jury, in which she said Searson had asked her to throw the carving knife to him and it went in to his chest.
She said: ‘It’s a carving knife. We literally only got it today. It’s really f****** sharp.’
Palmer denied murder and claimed Searson was a binge drinker who was ‘controlling’ and would check up on her.
She said: ‘I just wanted to make things work but he started to become a bit possessive over me. Wherever I was going, if it was just to the shop he had to be with me. I wasn’t expecting to be with him 24/7.
‘I tried to work harder to make more money but it was really hard. We wouldn’t speak for ages then when we did talk he would be shouting and trashing rooms and then he would throw the phone.’
Describing the couple’s relationship, a mutual friend told the court: ‘They loved each other. I know that much. Terri spent most of her time working to get somewhere to live because Damon didn’t have a job. She tried her best with Damo. She’d give him money.’
But after the case, Detective Inspector Nina Foley from Lancashire Police said, ‘This was a tragic case where a young man received a single stab wound to his chest during a domestic dispute with his girlfriend.
‘Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of police officers and paramedics, the injury proved fatal.
‘Palmer had attacked Damon Searson following an argument that night, giving different accounts to the ambulance service and attending police officers. She went on to give a further different versions during interview and her trial this week.
‘The events of that night have had far reaching consequences and two families have been left devastated. Sadly, Damon Searson lost his life but Terri Palmer will have to live with the knowledge that she was the one responsible.’
Palmer will serve a minimum of 12 years before she is eligible for parole.
(Selorm) | 
(Nana Kwesi)