In September 2003, 17-year-old Shafilea Ahmed vanished from her home in Warrington, Cheshire, leaving behind a worrying trail of unanswered questions. A bright and ambitious student, she had dreams of independence, but those dreams clashed with the expectations placed upon her by her family.

For years, her disappearance remained a mystery, until a shocking revelation finally exposed the horrifying truth. What really happened to Shafilea that night? And why did it take nearly a decade for justice to be served?

By covering Shafilea's story, I hope to raise awareness of the devastating reality of so-called "honour-based" abuse and the urgent need to challenge it. If you or someone you know is at risk or are experiencing it currently, please seek help from one of the below resources:

• Karma Nirvana (karmanirvana.org.uk)

• Savera UK (saverauk.co.uk)

• Halo Project (haloproject.org.uk)

• Freedom (freedomcharity.org.uk)

• True Honour (truehonour.org.uk)

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Disclaimer:

The case discussed in this podcast episode is real and represents the worst day in many people's lives. I aim to cover such stories with a victim-focused approach, using information from publicly available sources. While I strive for accuracy, some details may vary depending on the sources used. You can find the sources for each episode on my website. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In December 1994, 33-year-old Dr Michael Meenaghan was in his kitchen making a cup of tea when a single shotgun suddenly tore through his window, striking him in the chest. He somehow managed to dial 999 but collapsed before he could say a word.

When officers arrived, they found him slumped on the floor, the phone still hanging off the hook, surrounded by a pool of his own blood.

Over 30 years later, his murder remains a complete mystery. No weapon, no suspects, and no clear motive - just one chilling question: Who wanted Dr Meenaghan dead, and why?

If you have any information about this case, no matter how insignificant you think it might be, please contact Thames Valley Police on the link below or call 101:

Update a crime report | Thames Valley Police

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via the secure online form below:

Give information anonymously | Crimestoppers

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Disclaimer:

The case discussed in this podcast episode is real and represents the worst day in many people's lives. I aim to cover such stories with a victim-focused approach, using information from publicly available sources. While I strive for accuracy, some details may vary depending on the sources used. You can find the sources for each episode on my website. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’m joined by actor-producer duo Aaron Vodovoz and Annelise Bianchini in this interview episode to discuss the UK revival of 𝘋𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘰𝘢𝘥 from award-winning playwright Lee Blessing.

𝘈 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘦-𝘣𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘱𝘭𝘦 (𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘈𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘈𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘦) 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘉𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩, 𝘢 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨, 𝘴𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭-𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬. 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘣𝘪𝘨 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬, 𝘋𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐𝘳𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘸𝘯 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩'𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘳𝘣𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘯𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮.

The play is a gripping psychological thriller that explores the complex intersection of true crime, ethics, and the allure of killers in our culture.

𝘋𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘰𝘢𝘥, partnered by CrimeCon, has a limited run at London's brand-new Playhouse East theatre and runs from 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟰 to 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟵, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱.

British Murders listeners can enjoy an exclusive 𝟮𝟬% 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗧 on tickets by using the code '𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗦𝗛' at checkout via the Eventbrite link below:

Down the Road by Lee Blessing Tickets | Eventbrite

Head to americantheatreoflondon.co.uk for more information, and follow their socials below for updates on the play's production:

Facebook | American Theatre of London

Instagram | @amertheatreldn

TikTok | @amertheatreldn

X | @AmerTheatreLDN

***This interview was recorded on January 28, 2025.

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In this monthly collaboration series, Adam from the UK True Crime podcast and I take a step back from individual cases to explore a curated selection of gripping crime stories that made headlines in February 2025. From chilling local, national, and international headlines to quirky and more lighthearted stories, this series offers a glimpse into the diverse and often shocking world of true crime.

This month's stories include:

1. Lanarkshire dad's jaw shattered while protecting stepson in Carluke
2. Fraudster pretended to work for Greggs to nick thousands from Leeds City Council
3. Killer who snatched girl from garden tent makes new bid for freedom
4. Woman dies in shooting at village pub in Kent on Valentine’s Day
5. Hartlepool convenience store selling bootleg cigarettes
6. Private detectives to hand over info on 'new witnesses' to death of Scot in Spain
7. Female Police Officer Arrested for Shooting and Killing Her Son and His Teen Girlfriend
8. Polish murderer writes a second novel revealing secrets of his crimes
9. Kayaker survives being swallowed by humpback whale in Chile

Join us as we dive into these extraordinary stories in the February 2025 edition of The Crime Roundup.

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Disclaimer:

The cases discussed in this episode are real and represent the worst day in many people's lives. We aim to cover such stories with a victim-focused approach, using information from publicly available sources. While we strive for accuracy, some details may vary depending on the sources used. Due to the nature of the content, viewer discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Robert Wilson went to work at the Thornton & Ross pharmaceutical plant in Linthwaite, Huddersfield on the evening of January 16, 2020, he had no idea that he would never return home.

The 53-year-old was carrying out a routine security check when he confronted two teenagers trespassing on the premises. What followed was a frenzied and senseless attack, in which Robert was subjected to an act of unimaginable violence.

This harrowing case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of knife crime and the dangers posed by individuals willing to commit acts of extreme violence.

Join my Patreon community at patreon.com/britishmurders for exclusive perks, including early access to ad-free episodes, bonus episodes and content, exciting giveaways, and welcome goodies!

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David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'⁣

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Disclaimer:

The case discussed in this podcast episode is real and represents the worst day in many people's lives. I aim to cover such stories with a victim-focused approach, using information from publicly available sources. While I strive for accuracy, some details may vary depending on the sources used. You can find the sources for each episode on my website. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In June 1992, 18-year-old Katie Rackliff was heading home after a night out in Farnborough, Hampshire, when she was savagely attacked and murdered. The case sent shockwaves through the community, but as the years passed with no arrests, it seemed justice might never come.

Then, four years later, a shocking revelation turned the investigation on its head. The killer wasn’t just someone the police never suspected - they would go down in history as the UK’s youngest-ever female murderer.

Join my Patreon community at patreon.com/britishmurders for exclusive perks, including early access to ad-free episodes, bonus episodes and content, exciting giveaways, and welcome goodies!

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David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'⁣

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Disclaimer:

The case discussed in this podcast episode is real and represents the worst day in many people's lives. I aim to cover such stories with a victim-focused approach, using information from publicly available sources. While I strive for accuracy, some details may vary depending on the sources used. You can find the sources for each episode on my website. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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In March 2007, 71-year-old Hilda Brown was found dead in her home, the victim of a brutal attack. Her neighbour, who had positioned himself as her trusted helper, soon fell under suspicion, but the case was anything but straightforward.

Just two days before her murder, Hilda had signed a new will, making him the sole beneficiary. What first appeared to be an act of kindness quickly unraveled into something far more sinister, leading to not one, but two trials before justice was finally served.

Join my Patreon community at patreon.com/britishmurders for exclusive perks, including early access to ad-free episodes, bonus episodes and content, exciting giveaways, and welcome goodies!

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Intro music:⁣

David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'⁣

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Disclaimer:

The case discussed in this podcast episode is real and represents the worst day in many people's lives. I aim to cover such stories with a victim-focused approach, using information from publicly available sources. While I strive for accuracy, some details may vary depending on the sources used. You can find the sources for each episode on my website. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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I welcome author Neil Lancaster back to the show in this interview episode.

Neil is a former RAF Military Policeman and Police Officer who served in the Metropolitan Police for 25 years between 1990 and 2015.

Since retiring, Neil has turned his hand to writing crime and thriller novels, with his highly regarded DS Max Craigie Scottish crime thriller series becoming a huge success.

The fifth book in the series - The Devil You Know - is available to purchase here:

The Devil You Know (DS Max Craigie Book 5) by Neil Lancaster | HQ | Amazon.co.uk

Book 6 - When Shadows Fall - will be released on Kindle, Audiobook and in Hardback on March 27, 2025. You can pre-order it here:

When Shadows Fall (DS Max Craigie Book 6) by Neil Lancaster | HQ | Amazon.co.uk

***This interview was recorded on January 27, 2024.

Join my Patreon community at patreon.com/britishmurders for exclusive perks, including early access to ad-free episodes, bonus episodes and content, exciting giveaways, and welcome goodies!

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When Nicole Waterhouse and Karen Browne attended a dating event in York, they couldn’t have known that one of the men they met would soon change their lives forever.

Jeremy Green, an ex-Army officer with a dishonorable discharge, went on a couple of dates with Karen before reappearing unexpectedly at the two women’s flat in October 2013 under a seemingly innocent pretense. His true intentions, however, were anything but harmless.

What followed was a brutal and prolonged assault that left Nicole dead and Karen forever scarred, both physically and emotionally. This harrowing case serves as a chilling reminder that the capacity for violence can be hidden beneath a seemingly innocent façade.

For more information about The Nikki Waterhouse Trust, head to thenikkiwaterhousetrust.co.uk

Join my Patreon community at patreon.com/britishmurders for exclusive perks, including early access to ad-free episodes, bonus episodes and content, exciting giveaways, and welcome goodies!

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Intro music:⁣

David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'⁣

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Disclaimer:

The case discussed in this podcast episode is real and represents the worst day in many people's lives. I aim to cover such stories with a victim-focused approach, using information from publicly available sources. While I strive for accuracy, some details may vary depending on the sources used. You can find the sources for each episode on my website. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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In May 1982, 48-year-old Brenda Venables seemingly vanished from the farmhouse she shared with her husband, David, in rural Worcestershire. Her husband claimed she had been struggling with her mental health and suggested she may have taken her own life, leaving behind a shroud of uncertainty and heartbreak.

For decades, Brenda’s disappearance remained a mystery, until a shocking discovery was made in July 2019 after some routine maintenance on the farm’s septic tank revealed a horrifying truth that had been hidden in plain sight for nearly 40 years.

If you are experiencing domestic abuse or are concerned that someone you know is, visit ydom.co.uk/resources-for-everyone for support and help.

REMEMBER - If you are in immediate danger, please call 999!

Calling 999 from a mobile and can't talk? The Silent Solution can help. It's a system that ensures people can alert the police and get help when they are in genuine need but unable to speak. A recorded message will instruct callers who can't talk to press 55 to be put through to the police. Staying silent and not pressing 55 will lead to the call being terminated.

Join my Patreon community at patreon.com/britishmurders for exclusive perks, including early access to ad-free episodes, bonus episodes and content, exciting giveaways, and welcome goodies!

Social Media:

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Private Facebook Group:

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britishmurders.com

Do you have a case request? Please send it to [email protected] or fill out a Contact Form at britishmurders.com/contact

Intro music:⁣

David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'⁣

davidjohnbrady.com

Disclaimer:

The case discussed in this podcast episode is real and represents the worst day in many people's lives. I aim to cover such stories with a victim-focused approach, using information from publicly available sources. While I strive for accuracy, some details may vary depending on the sources used. You can find the sources for each episode on my website. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.