Murdertown

This episode explores two terrible crimes that left a lasting impression on Hull - and reveals how complex investigations into one case finally led to both mysteries being solved. The story begins with the apparent kidnap and murder of Christopher Laverack, a crime that initially had police stumped. It would remain unsolved for years. We also tell the story of the disappearance of Joanne Nelson, who vanished from the city on Valentine’s Day, 2005. It was a story that had the whole city on edge and led to the biggest search in Humberside Police history, before a breakthrough led police to finding her killer, and the whereabouts of her body.

In 1993 a sixteen-year-old girl is found dying by the side of the road. Her killer disappears into the night. Her name is Claire Tiltman, and as police investigate they learn she's a girl with no enemies, and the crime is motiveless. There's no sexual attack, and no robbery. But there is extreme violence. Two years later, another attack is committed on a young woman. This time, locals identify the town milkman, Colin Ash Smith. Police investigate, and find a diary with details of crimes he's committed and crimes he plans to do. In his car they find half a school-tie, part of a weapon he used on an earlier crime seven years earlier. He's jailed for two attacks, but not Claire's murder. It takes over twenty years before he's finally brought to trial, following advances in forensics, and found guilty of killing Claire. Jurors hear of how he knew Claire, and even went to her funeral.

In this episode explores how one boy left an entire city living in fear. Aged 15, Robbie Mcintosh walked into a fish & chip shop to announce that a woman had been killed on the iconic Law Hill. Locals were terrified as the news spread. Police revealed the victim had been stabbed dozens of times. But police never imagined that the culprit was a 15 year-old. As cops swooped to arrest him, Mcintosh fled to Glasgow airport, buying a ticket to Canada when he was placed under arrest. Was Mcintosh a local youth who had committed something shocking, or a serial killer in the making, stopped in his tracks? Dundee would find out in 2017, when Mcintosh was allowed out of prison on home leave. He lasted 5 days. Then he took a walk into nearby woods, spotted a female dog walker, and attacked her with a large heavy dumbbell. The woman survived, and police arrested Mcintosh just an hour later. In Dundee, lightning had struck twice terrifyingly, Mcintosh will be eligible for release in 2022.

Examining two murders committed in Portsmouth on Dec. 12 of different years by Allan Grimson, and possible links to the disappearance of Simon Parkes.

This episode explores one man's violent rampage through the town of Wrexham, which eventually led to the murder of Nicholas Churton.

In Middlesbrough we look at the story of a man who believed he had committed the perfect murder, and how diligent police work uncovered his identity and his plans for further violent crimes.

Rachel Manning had been to a 1970s-themed fancy dress party and Chicago's nightclub with boyfriend Barri White before going missing in the early hours of 10 December 2000. The teenager was found dead in undergrowth at Woburn Golf Club two days later. She had been strangled and her face disfigured with a steering lock, which was located 500m (546 yards) from her body.

The shocking murder of 51-year-old Wakefield woman Wendy Speakes, at the hands of sadistic killer Christopher Farrow who targeted her as she walked home from work.

The story of Wigan teenager Louise Sellars, who vanished in 1995. The next day, her body was found in a field near her home, leading to a hunt for a killer in Appley Bridge. 

With first-hand testimony from family members, police officers, witnesses and reporters, Murdertown shines a light on some of Britain’s darkest murder locations, examining the crimes that rocked these communities and the impact they have had on the people living there.

In May 1996, the murder of Stephen Cameron hit national headlines as one of the first examples in the UK of a road rage killing.

In April 2015, 24-year-old student Karen Buckley went missing whilst on a night out with friends in the West End of Glasgow. Emilia visits the location where Karen was last seen and learns about the investigation that tried to find her.

Emilia investigates Evie Adams' murder in 2019. The victim's boyfriend, who was already being investigated over two separate deaths, quickly came under suspicion.

Emilia uncovers details surrounding the brutal murder of Rosie Darbyshire. Witnesses and CCTV were key to solving the case that shocked the local community.

Emilia uncovers details surrounding Joshua Stimpson's murder of ex-girlfriend Molly McLaren, a case which shook the victim's family and community to its core.