REAL

In this episode, we will examine the timeline and witness statements from the night Charlene went missing and you will quickly notice.... they don't add up? Who is telling the truth? Who is mistaken? And who is lying?

If you'd like to support the show, you can do so here:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/podcast4justice

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast, please see the below organisations that offer support, advice and information:

https://www.thesurvivorstrust.org/ - For people who have been the victim of sexual abuse (UK)

https://www.rainn.org/ - Sexual Abuse Support USA

https://www.nasasv.org.au/support-directory - Sexual Abuse Support Australia

https://www.rcni.ie/useful-links/ - Sexual Abuse Support Ireland

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

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

With Charlene's disturbing medical records have given a clear picture of the abuse she was going through, the police now have to consider many more men as potential suspects.

And then, another teenage girl goes missing, in very similar circumstances to Charlene... are they connected?

If you'd like to support the show, you can do so here:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/podcast4justice

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast, please see the below organisations that offer support, advice and information:

https://www.thesurvivorstrust.org/ - For people who have been the victim of sexual abuse (UK)

https://www.rainn.org/ - Sexual Abuse Support USA

https://www.nasasv.org.au/support-directory - Sexual Abuse Support Australia

https://www.rcni.ie/useful-links/ - Sexual Abuse Support Ireland

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

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

With two new suspects in their sights and covert recordings, the police think they have the men who murdered Charlene... But do they?

If you'd like to support the show, you can do so here:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/podcast4justice

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast, please see the below organisations that offer support, advice and information:

https://www.thesurvivorstrust.org/ - For people who have been the victim of sexual abuse (UK)

https://www.rainn.org/ - Sexual Abuse Support USA

https://www.nasasv.org.au/support-directory - Sexual Abuse Support Australia

https://www.rcni.ie/useful-links/ - Sexual Abuse Support Ireland

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

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

We now know that there was a convicted sex offender living with Charlene on the day she went missing. So did the police look into this man? And did they find anything to link him to Charlene's murder?

And a lead from a local business owner, shows police the true extent of Blackpool's dark underworld....


If you'd like to support the show, you can do so here:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/podcast4justice

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast, please see the below organisations that offer support, advice and information:

https://www.thesurvivorstrust.org/ - For people who have been the victim of sexual abuse (UK)

https://www.rainn.org/ - Sexual Abuse Support USA

https://www.nasasv.org.au/support-directory - Sexual Abuse Support Australia

https://www.rcni.ie/useful-links/ - Sexual Abuse Support Ireland

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

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

In the second episode of this series, we look at the history of the Downes family, including the frequent involvement of the social services with them and the allegations made against men visiting their family home.

We also here from a private investigator who uncovered some harrowing information during an investigation into Charlene's life.

If you'd like to support the show, you can do so here:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/podcast4justice

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast, please see the below organisations that offer support, advice and information:

https://www.thesurvivorstrust.org/ - For people who have been the victim of sexual abuse (UK)

https://www.rainn.org/ - Sexual Abuse Support USA

https://www.nasasv.org.au/support-directory - Sexual Abuse Support Australia

https://www.rcni.ie/useful-links/ - Sexual Abuse Support Ireland

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

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

In November 2003, 14-year-old Charlene Downes went missing from Blackpool. She has never been found and is presumed murdered.

In this ten-part series, we will go through the case, piece by piece. With access to thousands of records and reports, this podcast will attempt to explain one of the UK's most complex, bizarre and heartbreaking cases and try to get a step closer to finding out....

What Happened to Charlene Downes?

If you'd like to support the show, you can do so here:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/podcast4justice

Artwork by Jack Connolly

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast, please see the below organisations that offer support, advice and information:

https://www.thesurvivorstrust.org/ - For people who have been the victim of sexual abuse (UK)

https://www.rainn.org/ - Sexual Abuse Support USA

https://www.nasasv.org.au/support-directory - Sexual Abuse Support Australia

https://www.rcni.ie/useful-links/ - Sexual Abuse Support Ireland

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

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

If you commit a murder in the US, there is a 40% chance you will get away with it. If you kill in the UK, then there's a 28% chance you won't be caught.

But what if your first move after the act, was to confess? In this episode, we will hear from 5 different killers, in the minutes after they had taken the life of another human, confessing to what they have done.

This is Real.

TW: This episode contains descriptions of domestic violence.

If you need help or support with domestic abuse please get in touch with the following organisations:

https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ - UK

https://safelives.org.uk/ - UK

https://www.victimsupportni.com/help-for-victims/domestic-violence/ - Northern Ireland

https://sdvs.ie/ - Ireland

https://www.lifewire.org/ - USA

https://www.rizeup.com.au/ - Australia

https://whokilledleanneholland.com/podcast/ - To hear my discussion with Graeme and Jamie from the WKLH podcast, you can find it under episode 22.

If you'd like to support the show you can do so here, thank you:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/podcast4justice

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

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

Sleep walking.... sleep talking..... sleep killing?

In todays episode, we look at the crimes committed by 14-year-old Alex Crain. In an extraordinary and devestating case, we hear how Alex committed the ultimate crimes against the two people who loved him most.

But.... was it his fault? Or was Alex a victim of this tragic medical phenomenon?

This is Real.

Also catch my interview with the lovely ladies over on the Strong Tea podcast:
https://strongtea.co.uk/

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

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

If you had a child who committed the unthinkable... what would you do? Would you turn them in? Would you disown them? Or would you help them get rid of the evidence?

In this episode, we look at the horrendous murder of Ashley Young, a viiacious young woman who had friends from all walks of life. But her 'friend' Jared Chance would end up commiting the ultimate crime against her, and enlisting his family to help him to get away with it.

This is Real.

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

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

From 1993 to 2008, an unidentified woman's DNA kept turning up at various crime scenes across Europe. The crimes ranged from petty car thefts to murders, including the execution of a German police officer.

Over 100 officers across multiple countries and jurisdictions were assigned to the case to try and find this woman, who just left her DNA at these scenes, but nothing else. No one ever saw her committ these crimes and she was given the nickname 'The Woman Without A Face'.

But then, a task force did get a lead.... And nobody could believe who it was.....

This is Real.

NB:
I'll be on the Strong Tea podcast on the 13th October episode if you'd like to listen: https://strongtea.co.uk

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

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