Investigators wanted to get justice for the World’s End victims, but they would need the law to be changed in order for that to happen (Part 3 of 3)…
Read moreThe World's End Part 2 / Angus Sinclair & The Murder of Mary Gallacher
The murders of several women in Scotland in the 1970s went unsolved. During a case review into the 1978 murder of 17-year-old Mary Gallacher in 2000, a suspect was identified through DNA comparison. He was arrested and brought to trial (Part 2 of 3)…
Read moreThe World's End Part 1 / Unsolved Glasgow Murders
Over the course of two years, several young women in Glasgow disappeared after nights out, echoing a terrifying period for women in the city a decade earlier when Bible John roamed the streets. After some of the missing women were found brutally murdered, investigators noticed glaring similarities, which led many to suspect that another serial killer was operating in Glasgow (Part 1 of 3)…
Read moreThe Makeshift Mausoleum / Virginia McCullough
John McCullough had missed yet another doctor's appointment, which raised concerns for the receptionist at the GP practice in Chelmsford. Thinking back, she couldn’t recall the last time she had seen John or his wife Lois…
Read moreUnsolved / RAF Servicewoman Rita Ellis
The dog seemed determined to get to something in the undergrowth, and much to his owner’s annoyance, he pulled relentlessly against the lead. Curiosity got the better of his handler. What was his pet so interested in? As he entered the copse, the officer almost stumbled over the partially naked body of a young woman…
Read moreA Tragic Pact / The Unbelievable Crimes Of Linsey Cotton
Passing through the hotel's hallway, one guest noticed something strange — a figure slumped against the wall outside room 25. As they got closer, the guest saw, to their horror, that the young woman was covered in blood, and a trail led back to her room. Staff members were quickly alerted and ran down the corridor. When they entered room 25, they found another woman badly injured. She was alive but barely breathing…
Read moreObsessed, Jealous and Bitter / The Murder of Janet Newton
A young woman lay motionless on the ground, curled up—her body halfway under a car. Steve asked her if she was okay, but she didn’t answer. Motorists, suddenly stuck behind Steve’s taxi, got out of their vehicles to see what was going on. In a team effort, one person called for an ambulance, while others rushed to get blankets or jumpers to help keep the injured woman warm…
Read moreThe Devil In Ossett / Christine & Michael Taylor - Part 2
Sparse details of an alleged exorcism emerged at Leeds Crown Court when Michael Taylor was found not guilty by reason of insanity for killing his wife, Christine. In an almost unprecedented move, the coroner decided it would be in the public interest to reopen the inquest so that the full story would be held on record... (Part 2 of 2).
Read moreThe Devil In Ossett / Christine & Michael Taylor - Part 1
Not a usual sight when minding your own business, a man appeared in the doorway, completely naked apart from socks on his feet. It took a few seconds for Thomas to realise that the man’s face, hands, and body were drenched in blood. Before Thomas could react, the man looked directly at him and spoke the words: “I rebuke thee in the name of Satan”… (Part 1 of 2).
Read moreTulip 22 & Fiona Beal / The Murder of Nicholas Billingham
Julia Beal was under the impression that her daughter was on a residential school trip in Cumbria. When she learned that wasn't the case and no one had seen her since March 6th, Fiona’s mother reported her daughter missing. A high-risk missing persons inquiry was launched. According to colleagues, Fiona Beal had been going through a tough time, and they were worried she would do something drastic…
Read moreKilled On Duty / The Death Of Superintendent Gerald Richardson
Monday mornings were typically quiet. However, on August 23rd, 1971, four men wearing dark glasses and hats stormed into the shop. Joseph thought fast and ducked down—he hastily locked himself in the back room before the men could see him. He could hear the shop assistants being ordered to the floor at gunpoint, so Joseph pressed the silent alarm that alerted officers at Blackpool Police Station. It was 9:41 am. Within 15 minutes, three men would be fighting for their lives, and one of the largest manhunts in Lancashire history would be launched in search of one of the men responsible…
Read moreMissing Child / Andrew Gosden
The train pulls into the platform on time. When the doors open, the passengers file out and begin heading for the exit. A boy walks through the crowd with purpose. His eyes scan the concourse, and he makes his way to the automatic doors. He leaves the station, and is never seen again….
Read moreOver The Edge / Miles Giffard
The sergeant followed the single tyre track past the chrysanthemums that had tipped from their pot onto the ground. Dark red stains intermittently coloured the route from the garage, through the garden gate, to between the beech and oak trees on the rough cliffside terrain. A brown trilby hat lay in the dew-soaked grass. Close by was a bloodstained wallet. The narrow pathway led to the cliff’s edge, and as the sergeant peered down to the rocks 120 ft below, he saw who he’d been looking for….
Read moreThe Jealous Killer & The Psychic / The Death Of Mika Cudworth
Aly Austin had a feeling that she was close. Entering the rapeseed field from the roadside next to the roundabout, she lowered her eyes and began to scan the ground. It was typically fresh for a May evening, with a slight breeze. In full bloom, the yellow flowers stretched as far as the eye could see. The leaves of each plant were woven to neighbouring stalks, making the terrain tricky to navigate. Just a few minutes into the search, Aly stumbled onto something concealed beneath the dense crops. Decomposition had set in, but there was no doubt in Aly’s mind that she had found Mika Cudworth’s body…
Read moreVictorian Poisoning Case / Edwin & Adelaide Bartlett
The sound of knocking on the front door roused Dr Alfred Leach from sleep. It had been just a few hours after he had celebrated the New Year. The doctor recognised the young woman waiting on his doorstep as a patient’s servant. Before Annie Fulcher had a chance to speak, Dr Leach groaned and wondered whether Edwin Bartlett was truly sick this time or if it was just another one of his “notions”. Annie replied, “I know nothing about it. Mrs Bartlett only tells me he is dead”...
Read moreREPLAY - Midlands Ripper / Alun Kyte - Part 2
Investigators from numerous police forces across the Midlands had been searching for a connection between the unsolved murders of sex workers in the 1990s. After exhausting all resources, a cold case review was held in 1998 in an effort to identify the killer of Samo Paull and Tracy Turner. DNA obtained during Tracy Turner’s post-mortem had been collected after her death. As part of the re-investigation, the sample was cross-checked against the national DNA database in March 1998. After four years with no leads, the police finally had a match — a man awaiting trial for a violent sexual assault… (Part 2 of 2).
Read moreREPLAY - Midlands Ripper / Alun Kyte - Part 1
In February 2023, a man was convicted of sexually abusing a child during the 1980s. Aside from the harrowing details presented to the jury at Nottingham Crown Court, some information was kept from them. Jurors were unaware the defendant was already serving a life sentence or that he was suspected of being one of the worst serial killers in British history... (Part 1 of 2).
Read moreUnsolved / Janine Downes
A motorist became curious when he noticed something in a lay-by on the A464 road east of Shifnal to Wolverhampton. It was 9.30 on a cold winter’s morning. In a split-second decision, the driver decided to pull in to get a closer look. When he explored the undergrowth, he came to the realisation that he was looking at a dead body. It appeared as though a half-hearted attempt was made to cover the remains. Bushes had been placed to shield some of the body from prying eyes. Whoever had done it hadn't taken the time to thoroughly conceal the victim who bore the marks of being badly beaten…
Read moreAll That Remains / The Murder of Simon Shotton - Part 2
After Benjamin Atkins and Debbie Pereira were caught with their lodger’s severed arms in their back garden, they were charged with murder and brought to trial at Winchester Crown Court. The prosecution alleged that the couple had acted together to kill Simon Shotton, dismember his body, and scatter his remains around Boscombe. Although Atkins had admitted to causing Simon’s death, he claimed that he had acted in self-defence, and Pereira argued she was innocent of any involvement… (Part 2 of 2).
Read moreAll That Remains / The Murder of Simon Shotton - Part 1
As she waited for a break in the downpour, something heavy landed with a thud next to her. Dana worried someone had purposely thrown something. Undeterred, she quickly ran the remainder of the way to her workplace and grabbed her coat. A short time later, as she returned down the steps, Dana saw something wrapped in black plastic and grey masking tape. It had been discarded in the exact spot where she stood not fifteen minutes earlier. As she got closer, she recognised the object's shape. It looked like a human foot… (Part 1 of 2).
Read more