British Murders with Stuart Blues

In this episode, I tell the story of Michael Beckwith, a 44-year-old man killed in Harwich, Essex, in July 2016. Michael was asked to meet up with 21-year-old Rebecca Ryan on July 31 to discuss their relationship, which had ended just a few days earlier. Unbeknownst to Michael, it was nothing more than a ploy to lure him down a secluded lane, where he was met by 27-year-old Scott Swift and 17-year...

In this episode, I tell the story of Mary McLaughlin, a 58-year-old woman killed in Partick, Glasgow, in September 1984. Mary was last seen in the company of a stranger, a man, on September 26, 1984, after spending the evening in a pub with her friends. Six days later, her body was found in her home on Laurel Street by Martin Cullen, one of her 11 children, and his then-partner. Somebody had stran...

I was recently asked to participate in the monthly True Crime Podcasters Roundtable, hosted by Adam from the UK True Crime podcast with Mike from Murder Mile and Paul, the True Crime Enthusiast. Bethan from Seeing Red was also a guest at the event broadcast live on Crowdcast. In case you missed it, this is the audio replay of that event. ***This discussion was recorded on February 18, 2024. Join m...

I welcome back retired forensic pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd to the show in this interview episode. In December 2023, TRUE CRIME (formerly CBS Reality) announced that its original true crime series, 'The Truth About My Murder', would return to the screens in 2024 after the international success of its first season. The new batch of episodes welcomes back Dr Shepherd, one of the world’s leading...

In this episode, I tell the story of Ermatati Rodgers, a 41-year-old woman killed in Gwersyllt, Wrexham, in April 2008. Tati (as she was known) arrived in the UK from her native Indonesia in 1996 with her then-husband. On January 4, 2008, she unexpectedly disappeared, with her best friend raising the alarm the next day after she failed to meet her for lunch as planned. It took 14 months, but foren...

I welcome Dr Sohom Das to the show in this interview episode. Dr Das is a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist who treats and rehabilitates mentally disordered offenders. He is also an experienced expert witness who regularly provides evidence to criminal trials about defendants who have a range of mental illnesses. He assesses individuals in courts, in prisons and in special secure psychiatric units...

In this episode, I tell the story of Juliet Callaghan, a 12-year-old girl killed in Swinton, Greater Manchester, in March 1966. Juliet was attacked and killed by a 16-year-old boy called Gordon Wheeler while walking home from school one Friday afternoon. It took just ten days for the police to catch the teenage killer who had stabbed Juliet over 50 times during the frenzied attack. Wheeler was fou...

I welcome Ryan Ogilvie to the show in this interview episode to discuss his new podcast series Who is the Cheese Wire Killer? At around 8 pm on September 29, 1983, local taxi driver George Murdoch picked up a fare from the New Marcliffe Hotel on Queens Road, Aberdeen. A short time later, he was found dead by the roadside. He was the victim of a brutal and cruel murder. On the fortieth anniversary...

In this episode, I tell the story of Claire Morris, a 32-year-old woman killed near Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire, in May 1994. Claire was killed by her husband, Malcolm Webster, just eight months after they tied the knot. She was unknowingly drugged throughout their marriage, and, at first, it was thought that Claire's death was a tragic car accident. Webster wasn't brought to justice until 2011 when...

In this episode, I tell the story of Paul Norfolk, a 77-year-old man killed in Haverhill, Suffolk, in December 2011. Paul lived in his semi-detached home with his wife, Esme, and her carer, 49-year-old Thailand native Bunthawee Rimmer, until Esme was moved to a residential home when her health drastically deteriorated after suffering a stroke. Rimmer claimed she then began a sexual relationship wi...

I welcome Adam Lloyd to the show in this interview episode. Adam is the creator and host of UK True Crime, one of the UK's most successful independent true crime podcasts. With a new episode every week since 2016, UK True Crime is where you can discover lesser-known UK cases, new perspectives and insight into stories you may or may not be aware of. In 2021, Adam and co-author Chris Clark released...

In this episode, I tell the story of Rachael Lean, an 18-year-old killed near Buxton, Norfolk, in September 1995. Rachael's sudden disappearance on September 5, after missing a dinner appointment with her mum, prompted a five-day search. Last seen that afternoon chatting with Maria Hnatiuk outside the Naafi shop at RAF Coltishall, where her father worked, Rachael's body was eventually discovered o...

As we approach the end of 2023, I wanted to revisit some of the most memorable moments from the 27 interviews I've conducted this year. This bonus episode is split into two parts. Part 1 features clips from interviews #21 to #33, and part 2 features clips from interviews #34 to #47. Link to Part 2: britishmurders.com/bestof2023part2 Timestamps (Part 1): [00:00] Introduction [02:53] Guest: Ray Fysh...

As we approach the end of 2023, I wanted to revisit some of the most memorable moments from the 27 interviews I've conducted this year. This bonus episode is split into two parts. Part 1 features clips from interviews #21 to #33, and part 2 features clips from interviews #34 to #47. Link to Part 1: britishmurders.com/bestof2023part1 Timestamps (Part 2): [00:00] Introduction [01:24] Guest: Nicola S...

In this two-part end-of-season special, I tell the stories of Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth, who were murdered in Narborough and Enderby, Leicestershire, in 1983 and 1986. Last week, in part 1, I explored the lives of Lynda and Dawn while delving into their respective murders. I also discussed the first three years of what would eventually be a four-year hunt for justice, culminating with the wrong...

I welcome Nicky Perfect to the show in this interview episode to discuss her incredible career as a hostage and crisis negotiator. Nicky is an internationally renowned expert trainer, specialising in communication, negotiation and influencing skills. She has taught professionals worldwide how to maximise their ability to improve relationships through communication. After spending 20 years in the M...

In this two-part end-of-season special, I tell the stories of Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth, who were murdered in Narborough and Enderby, Leicestershire, in 1983 and 1986. In this first part, I explore the lives of Lynda and Dawn while delving into their respective murders. I also discuss the first three years of what would eventually be a four-year hunt for justice, culminating with the wrongful a...

I welcome Dan Korn and Diana Carter to the show in this interview episode to discuss the brand-new series, 'Cops Gone Bad.' It follows on from the success of 'Cops Who Kill' , Crime + Investigation’s third highest-rated premiere since 2019, and will include seven new cases. Host Will Mellor is back with his team of returning experts, including retired Detective Chief Inspector Howard Groves and fo...

In a departure from my usual coverage of British murder cases, I bring you an off-season collaboration episode that delves into a mysterious and highly debated case from the Republic of Panama, Central America. Mark and Bethan join me from the excellent Seeing Red true crime podcast, with Mark telling us the story of Dutch students Kris Kremers and Lisanne Froon, who disappeared on April 1, 2...

In this episode, I tell the story of Georgia Williams, a 17-year-old girl killed in Wellington, Shropshire, on May 26, 2013. Georgia left her parents' home that Sunday evening shortly before 8 pm to take part in what she thought was a photoshoot with 22-year-old Jamie Reynolds, someone she knew through her older sister, Scarlett. After failing to return home, Georgia's parents, Steve and Lynn...

In this episode, I tell the story of Catherine Kelly, a 71-year-old woman killed in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, on February 11, 2017. Catherine had spent that Saturday evening attending a 21st birthday party with her 41-year-old son William Kelly and his partner Eleanor Banks. Within minutes of the three arriving back home, a fire broke out, which resulted in Catherine's death. It was soon revealed...

I welcome April Taylor to the show in this interview episode to discuss her new book, 'Crime and Punishment in Tudor England: From Alchemists to Zealots.' The book tells the story of the law's enactment and its penalties from Henry VII to Elizabeth I. It's arranged in alphabetical order of crimes and recounts tales of blackmail, infanticide, kidnapping, heresy, and sumptuary laws. Researched metic...

In this episode, I tell the story of Louise Sellars, a 15-year-old girl killed in Appley Bridge, Greater Manchester, on August 13, 1995. That Sunday evening, Louise left her home to meet her friend Kelly Morrisey and spent a few hours with her before the two parted ways. The last time Louise was seen was at around 9:30 pm. Her parents called the police after Louise failed to return home without le...

In this episode, I tell the story of Teddy Tilston, a 2-year-old boy killed in Birkenhead, Merseyside, on March 1, 2017. Teddy was being cared for by 28-year-old Craig Smith, his mum's partner, when the emergency services were called that afternoon. Smith claimed Teddy had drowned in the bath after being left for just 30 seconds, but the paramedics attending the scene noticed that he was bone dry....

In this episode, I tell the story of Kenneth Syme, a 48-year-old man killed in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, on January 1, 1995. Kenneth attended a Hogmanay party at a tenement in Faifley, close to his home, and was later thrown out of a third-floor window by Kenneth McGuire over an alleged debt he was owed. Somehow, Kenneth Syme survived that fall and was brought back up to the flat, where he w...