Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 55 i Crime Monthly

In the news The third of February 2020 is a day that is forever etched in the collective memory of the small community of West Yellowstone, in Montana. It was the day the battered body of 12-year-old James Alexander Hurley, known as Alex, was found at the property of his paternal gran Patricia Batts and her husband James Sasser. In August this year, after court proceedings involving every member of the household, Batts was found guilty of deliberate homicide. As the judge handed down a sentence of life behind bars, Batts’ only statement was, “I regret not being the grandmother Alex should have had”. Batts is the last of four family members to be sentenced following the systematic abuse and torture of Alex that ultimately led to his death. Batts’…

In the news Mother and daughter A nsreen and Mahek Bukhari enjoyed social media fame together as they shared their party lifestyle with their 128k followers on TikTok and Instagram. But, in August this year, they found a new joint infamy when they became convicted murderers. Mahek, 24, had dreamt of a social media career after dropping out of university, and mum A nsreen supported her ambition. The pair had an “elite relationship”, with A nsreen, 46, going on nights out and appearing in TikTok videos with her daughter, until an affair with a younger man sparked a chain of events that ended in tragedy. Ansreen met Saqib Hussain, 21, on video app Azar in 2019. Then 18, he pretended he was 27. The pair hit it off, despite the…

THE FULL STORY On the surface, Lucy Letby seemed just like any other young nurse who loved her job. She worked in the neonatal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospital in Chester, and when the local paper ran a story about the unit, Letby held up a tiny sleepsuit for a profile piece. “I enjoy seeing babies progress and supporting their families,” she said. Letby, 33, was raised in Hereford – an only child to John, 77, and Susan, 63, who were described by neighbours as well-liked and respected. She was close to her parents, although she told friends they were “a little suffocating at times”. At school, she was described by friends as “geeky” and after college, she qualified as a children's nurse at the University of Chester.…

Lisa Ann French and her mum put a lot of effort into her costume for Halloween in 1973, and the nine year old decided she would dress as a “hobo”. At 5.45pm, she kissed her parents and went out trick-or-treating in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. A friend was meant to be with her, but she'd been grounded, so Lisa was alone. Still, she had no reason to be wary when she knocked at the home of Gerald Miles Turner Jr. They were neighbours, and since his girlfriend Arlene Penn had had a baby, Lisa would push the infant in her pram. So, she smiled at Turner as she entered the house. Four days later, a farmer discovered two brown plastic rubbish bags in one of his fields outside town. One…

When Jim A ime was called to the morgue to identify a body in Utah in 1974, he was clinging to the hope it was not his daughter Laura. He'd been told the body was probably a 25-year-old woman, and his daughter was only 17 when she'd gone missing. The victim's face had been beaten beyond recognition, but when he saw the scar on her arm, his nightmare became reality. The tragic details of Laura's disappearance and death are far from clear. She was last seen alive at a Halloween party, but there is confusion where the gathering took place. In addition, there's further confusion as to why she left the party just after midnight. Some of her friends told police she went out to buy cigarettes. Other statements said…

ITVX, STREAMING NOW Series one of Irvine Welsh's Crime turned out to be one of the most absorbing and gut-wrenching pieces of TV we have seen in a long time. Driven by an extraordinary central performance from Dougray Scott as the beyond-troubled DI Ray Lennox, it rightfully earned him an International Emmy nod. If you haven't seen it yet, stop reading and head to ITV X to rectify that now. If you have, you'll know things got very dark indeed when Lennox and his new partner, the ambitious DS Amanda Drummond (Joanna Vanderham), looked into the disappearance of a local schoolgirl. Now, the second series of the Edinburgh-set drama has arrived, and it's just as electrifying. Following the events at the end of series one, Lennox is returning to Edinburgh…

DS HASAN (AMAKA OKAFOR) The Responder star plays an ambitious firearms officer, who finds herself caught up in a murder investigation. A single mum, she is part of the East End's large Muslim community. DS WHITEMAN (JACOB FORTUNE-LLOYD) As a Jewish officer, Whiteman (racistly called Weissman by his fellow officers) is a rarity in the 1940s Met. He is also working for a shadowy organisation. DI HILLINGHEAD (KYLE SOLLER) The US actor plays a forward-thinking copper in Victorian Whitechapel. However, there is also another side to him he'd rather people didn't know about. DC MAPLEWOOD (SHIRA HAAS) The Israeli actress previously starred in Netflix's Unorthodox. She plays a young detective working in the near future, and her timeline is the last to be introduced. ELIAS MANNIX (STEPHEN GRAHAM) The veteran…

FRESH LOOK Jill Dando's murder in April 1999 sent shockwaves around the country. The TV presenter and Crimewatch host, 37, was killed by a single bullet when she was shot on her doorstep in broad daylight. Twenty-four years on, her death remains one of Britain's most infamous cold cases, despite sparking one of the biggest murder investigations. With a lack of motive and evidence, theories continue to surround her killing, from a professional hit to a stalker, or someone she knew. “Fantasist” Barry George was arrested for her murder and served eight years in prison, but was acquitted after a re-trial in 2008. Netflix's new three-part series, featuring interviews with Jill's brother Nigel, friends and former colleagues, aims to find some answers. Barry George is also interviewed, saying that he…

Loyalty MARTINA COLE (HEADLINE, £25) The legendary Martina makes a welcome return with a new hard-hitting crime saga. Dara and Grace both have lives marred by tragedy. Pledging to stay loyal forever when they meet in a children's home, can those bonds survive? Blistering. Stigma JØRN LIER HORST & THOMAS ENGER (ORENDA, £9.99) Former police investigator Alexander Blix is on the wrong side of the bars, having been convicted for taking revenge over his daughter's death. But now his colleagues need his help to catch a killer with a link to his prison. Darkly twisty. The Exchange e JOHN GRISHAM (HODDER & STOUGHTON, £22) Fifteen years ago, Mitch McDeere stole $10million, then disappeared. In those years, he became the head of the world's biggest law firm. But when he gets…

CAPTIVATING CASE You'd be hard pressed to find a podcast with more heart than this one. From the off, host Carole Fisher explains that this is a story of solidarity and sisterhood, far more than one of domestic abuse and murder. But while Carole manages to be both sensitive and funny when dealing with the subject matter, amid the lightheartedness are truly emotional moments. The Girlfriends starts by telling the personal story of host Carole and her girlfriend Mindy, who both dated successful plastic surgeon Bob Bierenbaum. Following their break-ups with him, the duo got together to trade stories about their ex, which is when they realised something darker was going on. Gradually, they began to uncover the story of Gail Katz – Bob's ex-wife, who had gone missing in…

A US parenting influencer and her podcast partner have been charged with child abuse. V loggers Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were detained after two of Franke's children were found “emaciated and malnourished” at Hildebrandt's home in Ivins, Utah. Police told reporters a neighbour had alerted them after Franke's 12-year-old son allegedly “escaped” the property and went to their house “asking for help [and for] food and water”. A spokesperson said, “The condition of the juvenile was so severe, they were… transported to a local hospital.” Franke's ten-year-old daughter was then discovered inside the home in “a similar physical condition of malnourishment”. The attorney's office released a statement saying, “Each defendant is accused of causing or permitting serious physical injury to the victims in three different ways: a combination of…

Convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh could be granted a new trial amid allegations of jury tampering. The once-prominent lawyer was convicted in March this year for the 2021 shootings of his wife Maggie and son Paul, but papers filed by his attorneys claim that court clerk Rebecca Hill pressured jurors into reaching a quick verdict and into finding him guilty. The attorneys said, “Ms Hill did these things to secure herself a book deal and media appearances that would not happen in the event of a mistrial. [She] betrayed her oath of office for money and fame.” At time of press, Hill had not responded to the allegations, and South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson had moved to dismiss the motion for a “procedural defect” in the filing. Meanwhile, Murdaugh is…

Forensic psychiatrist Dr Sohom Das says, “This is a horrific case where there were no apparent warning signs. Letby somehow managed to compartmentalise her dark and twisted emotions, and could divorce her actions from the rest of her everyday normal life. Sickeningly, it was easier for her because her victims were so defenceless. It took no physical energy to murder them – there was no violence or struggle – so her acts were less draining emotionally. I've assessed over 500 defendants and there's only been three or four out of them who haven't suffered some sort of trauma or abuse in their childhood or more recent past. That's what makes her case so unusual – I've never come across a woman like her before. “The major question is why she…

Crime+Investigation's new show #DEAD2ME looks into the shocking cases of ten people who were brutally murdered by their partners. Among those featured are aspiring musician Tai O'Donnell, stabbed to death by Kamila A hmad; Canadian student Ashley Wadsworth, savagely attacked by Jack Sepple; and Dawn Walker, killed by new husband Thomas Nutt, hours after their wedding. In the series, family members share never-beforeseen photos and footage of their loved ones, while criminologist Dr Honor Doro Townshend offers her analysis. Here, she tells us more… #DEAD2ME is emotional, sensitive and victim-focused. Was that what drew you to it? Absolutely. This series is very much victim-centred, and focuses on the fact that they were human beings, with aspirations, lives and families. Historically, it's always the perpetrators’ names that are remembered, not the…

HIGH DRAMA This new six-part crime thriller, exec produced by Jed Mercurio (Line Of Duty) and Madonna Baptiste (DI Ray), is a taut and compelling roller coaster that you won't want to get off. Morven Christie (The Bay) plays Lexie Noble, a highly-strung mum who frets over whether the new au pair is actually following her instructions, and is reassured by her more relaxed husband Jared (Thoren Ferguson). But as we soon discover, he's not necessarily to be trusted. Within the first few minutes of the action-packed opener, Lexie's world comes crashing down when she witnesses Jared being stabbed in the street, seemingly in a tragic, random attack. But when a shocked Lexie reports the crime, she begins to realise that – despite being married for years and owning an…

CRIME screen SENSITIVE RETELLING Seven-part drama telling the story of serial killer Peter Sutcliffe, who murdered 13 women between 1975 and 1980, and tried to kill at least seven more. But we never see or hear much of him, as the series – written by George Kay (Litvinenko) and directed by Lewis Arnold (Des) – puts his victims and their families front and centre. It takes great care to show how the women who were murdered by Sutcliffe were complex individuals, and how their deaths profoundly affected their families for the rest of their lives. It also follows the police investigation and does not flinch from showing how flawed and egodriven it often was. The extraordinary story of Marcella Claxton (Jasmine Lee-Jones), who somehow survived an attack, is particularly powerful in…

THE GODFATHER PART III Forest Whitaker will return as Bumpy Johnson in the third series of epic gangster drama Godfather Of Harlem on Lionsgate+. The new run finds Bumpy continuing to battle for control of the neighbourhood, bringing him into conflict with the Cuban Mafia from neighbouring Spanish Harlem. Episode one streams on 6 October, with new episodes every Friday. MICHAEL IS A KILLER A brand-new movie by David Fincher (Se7en, Fight Club) will premiere on Netflix next month. The Killer stars Michael Fassbender as a professional assassin, who decides to take on his employers after a near miss. The film will also star Tilda Swinton, and will show in select cinemas later this month before being able to stream from 10 November. ITV's new con ITVX will screen a…

What was the inspiration behind your new novel? I wish I was able to narrow that down, as it's a mixture of a few things. First, I'm really interested in the idea of identity and whether it's solely about your roots. My lead character is an investigating magistrate in France, but who lived in England until his teenage years and whose father was English. My eldest son is similar, but the other way around, and not knowing for sure where you belong really informs your personality. Add to that, the beauty and history of the Loire Valley where the book is set and a slower pace of life that exists here, and you have a mixture that screams brooding murder and resentment. This is a new, darker series for you…

A woman was rescued by police after being found chained to the floor in a house in Kentucky. Neighbours called 911 after hearing screams, and officers from the Louisville Metro Police Department were forced to access the secondfloor property using a ladder as the door was barricaded. Inside, they found 37-year-old Jonna Wilson had been secured with a chain bolted to the floor. Alleged suspect Moises May, 36, is the victim's estranged partner and the father of her child. Jonna told reporters, “I want to see him in jail. I want justice.” May has pleaded not guilty to all charges, which include kidnapping, assault, harassment, and intimidating a participant in the legal process. Bail was set at $100,000.…

YouTube chef Daniel Sancho Bronchalo could face the death penalty after he was arrested for killing his partner in Thailand in August. The celebrity cook, 29, allegedly beat Colombian plastic surgeon Edwin A rrieta A rteaga to death before dismembering his body and dumping his remains around Ko Pha Ngan, which backpackers flock to for its monthly full moon parties. Edwin's body parts, including his hips and thighs, were found in plastic bags by locals at a landfill site. The pair, who met on the island, are thought to have been involved romantically, and were seen riding a motorcycle together days before Edwin's death. It has been claimed that a feud over “sex and money” reached breaking point, with fatal consequences. The YouTuber claimed that he tried to break up…

In the news THE ESCAPE Danilo Cavalcante was not a stranger to law enforcement. As a teen in his native Brazil, he was arrested several times and charged with crimes including petty theft and possession of a deadly weapon. His early foray into criminal activity would, however, be a clear indication of what was to become a life of violence. In 2006, a 17-year-old Cavalcante was incarcerated for attempted murder after he stabbed a man during a robbery. Following his apprehension, he was sent to a juvenile detention centre where he would spend just two months before he climbed over a 14ft wall and escaped. Despite being caught and sent back to prison, when he was eventually freed, he continued to escalate his criminal activities. In 2017, it was alleged…

It is hoped this case will finally prompt a change in the law to ensure defendants have to attend sentencing. Following Letby's refusal to listen to the impact statements from her victims’ parents, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said, “I think it's cowardly that people who commit such horrendous crimes do not face their victims and hear first-hand the impact that their crimes have had on them, and their families and loved ones. We are looking, and have been, at changing the law to make sure that happens and this is something we'll bring forward in due course.” However, criticism has been levelled at the government for not acting sooner, especially as other recent high-profile cases have seen defendants able to escape facing up to what they have done, including nine-year-old…

Halloween 1974, and the O'Bryan family enjoyed a meal at the Pasadena home of friends Jim and Jean Bates, before taking their kids trick-or-treating. Eightyear-old Timothy, his sister Elizabeth and their dad Ronald headed out with the Bates family, and all returned laden with sweets. Later, Timothy's mother Daynene went out while Ronald put the children to bed. He let them have one sweet each and Timothy's was a Pixy Stix, a plastic straw filled with sherbert. He complained it tasted bitter, and within minutes, he vomited before convulsing. Ronald called an ambulance, but his son was dead from respiratory arrest before he reached hospital. Forensic tests revealed the Pixy Stix had been laced with enough cyanide to have killed two men. The police were desperate to establish which house…

Crime+ Investigation Play is the UK's only dedicated true-crime streaming service and is packed with the latest premieres and box sets. From Cops Who Kill with Will Mellor to Homicide Hunter, Meet, Marry, Murder to The First 48, all the shows you love are available to stream. With brandnew shows every month, there are thousands of hours of true crime to investigate. Download the app from Google Play or the Apple App Store and watch on your Apple TV, iOS device or Android device. It's also available on Amazon Firestick through Amazon Prime Video Channels. As an exclusive offer, Crime Monthly readers can get their first three months for free. Head to crimeandinvestigationplay.co.uk and enter the promotion code CRIMEMONTHLY. T&Cs apply. EXCLUSIVE OFFER GET THREE MONTHS FOR FREE…

HOT NEW PICKS PROVOCATIVE READ Kill Show DANIEL SWEREN-BECKER (HODDER & STOUGHTON, £9.99) If there is one subject that causes moral division, it's true crime. Those who are fans of the genre want to be part of a community that advocates for justice, and are often fascinated by the intricacies of the human mind. Those who are not see it as mining tragedy for entertainment – and that dichotomy is front and centre in this provocative and gripping novel. Like the much-lauded Daisy Jones & The Six, the story here unfolds in interview form, as the main players discuss their input into a previous reality show that followed the real-time investigation into a missing teen. Sara Parcell disappeared on her way to school and her desperate parents become accidental heroes…

This month's podcast picks The Cult Vault (Vault Productions) Host Kacey Cult Vault (she calls herself that to protect her anonymity) invites cult survivors and experts to discuss their former communities on this long-running pod. Offering episodes on almost every cult out there, if you're overwhelmed by the sheer number of instalments and are unsure where to start, a standout episode is number 237: “Sufism And Child Brides”. In the ep, Kacey interviews Tamara MC, a former member of a USbased Sufi group – Sufism is a type of Middle Eastern mysticism. The pair discuss how Tamara escaped her community, where she was subjected to a bizarre late-night forced marriage to her cult leader's son when she was just a teenager, and went on to earn her PhD, becoming an…

H e may be a former President of the United States, but Donald Trump has a lengthy record of legal cases against him. The ex-star of The Apprentice USA is currently scheduled to appear in court for a series of trials next year, as he runs for election again. Of the four main indictments, Trump faces charges in Georgia of attempting to overturn his 2020 election loss; further charges around the Capitol riots; 40 charges over alleged mishandling of classified material after he was voted out; and in what's known as the “New York hush money case”, he faces 34 counts of falsifying business records, following on from a payment made to adult movie star Stormy Daniels before his 2016 election. In addition, in May this year, Trump was found…