True Criminals

In the early 1960s, a young couple from Manchester fell in love, and together became the most reviled killers in British history. Ian Brady and Myra Hindley’s sadistic crimes shocked the nation, leaving five young victims buried in shallow graves across the bleak Saddleworth Moor. Their names are now synonymous with horror and the story still chills Britain to this day. In this powerful two part special of True Criminals, Martin Brunt and Helen Fospero uncover how an office romance turned into a killing spree that defined a generation’s fear. We explore how Brady’s obsession with Nazi ideology and violence met Hindley’s fatal devotion, and how their twisted partnership spiraled into unthinkable evil. Part One investigates their crimes, the abductions, the shocking evidence hidden in a railway locker, and the trial that made Myra Hindley the face of pure evil. Part Two features exclusive insight from crime writer Howard Soones, who reveals what happened inside prison — Myra’s decades of manipulation, her failed redemption, and her infamous escape plot with a former nun. Almost sixty years on, the Moors Murders still haunt Britain. Who was Myra Hindley — monster, victim, or both? Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠.  As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE Follow True Criminals Follow us on Instagram at ⁠@true.criminals⁠ and subscribe to our YouTube channel at ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals⁠. Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠@helenfospero⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.  Visit ⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠ for more information.  Executive Producer: Lee Mann.  Producer: Russell Barnes.  Audio Production: Andrew Chappell.  Music Composition: Chap Mannequin.  Artwork: Bleached. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When Christian B walked free from a German prison this month, the only official suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann stepped back into the spotlight, and straight into controversy. In this True Criminals Briefing, Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt and journalist Helen Fospero unpack the extraordinary scenes around his release, the media circus that followed, and the prosecutor’s unwavering insistence that Christian B abducted and murdered Madeleine, despite no arrest or charges. Martin recounts the tense hours outside the prison, the motorbike chase that was stopped by police, and the moment Christian B surfaced at a McDonald’s for his first meal of freedom. We also hear about the backlash in his new community, the police intervention that forced him to move, and the continuing shadow cast by accusations he denies. Martin and his team at Sky secured an exclusive interview with the suspect. For the first time since his release, Christian B has spoken. Though he refused to answer the crucial question — “Did you kill Madeleine McCann?” — his claims of a witch hunt by prosecutors reveal the strange and uneasy position he now occupies: condemned in the world’s most famous missing child case, but still a free man. As Helen and Martin reflect on the challenges of reporting this story, they ask the difficult question: what can really be learned by confronting the suspect at the heart of one of the most haunting mysteries of our time? Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠.  As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE Follow True Criminals Follow us on Instagram at ⁠@true.criminals⁠ and subscribe to our YouTube channel at ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals⁠. Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠@helenfospero⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.  Visit ⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠ for more information.  Executive Producer: Lee Mann.  Producer: Russell Barnes.  Audio Production: Andrew Chappell.  Music Composition: Chap Mannequin.  Artwork: Bleached. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We conclude this special double episode of True Criminals and are joined in the studio today by Neil Basu, former Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. Stephen Lawrence's murder in 1993 exposed shocking truths about institutional racism and failure within British policing. In this powerful conclusion, hosts Martin Brunt (Sky News Crime Correspondent) and Helen Fospero talk to Basu about the profound, yet unfinished, legacy of the Lawrence case on the Metropolitan Police. Basu, whose 30-year career was bookended by the case, offers an unprecedented insider perspective on: The Macpherson Inquiry's seismic finding of "institutionally racist" and why police leadership failed to acknowledge it properly. The flawed training and internal backlash to reform efforts in the wake of the inquiry. The significant, positive policing reforms that were implemented, including changes to family liaison and emergency life support training. The dramatic scientific breakthrough that led to the convictions of two of Stephen's killers 19 years later. Why the Met still refuses to accept the term institutional racism today, and the consequences for community trust. His own personal experience as an officer of colour navigating the Met's internal culture of "fit in or F off." Listen to Neil Basu's candid reflections on how the Stephen Lawrence murder transformed the UK's approach to crime, justice, and race relations, and why the battle for true change is far from over. For a copy of Neil book, Turmoil: 30 Years of Policing, Politics and Prejudice https://www.amazon.co.uk/Turmoil-Years-Policing-Politics-Prejudice/dp/0711294402 Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠.  As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE Follow True Criminals Follow us on Instagram at ⁠@true.criminals⁠ and subscribe to our YouTube channel at ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals⁠. Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠@helenfospero⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.  Visit ⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠ for more information.  Executive Producer: Lee Mann.  Producer: Russell Barnes.  Audio Production: Andrew Chappell.  Music Composition: Chap Mannequin.  Artwork: Bleached. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In April 1993, 18 year old Stephen Lawrence, a bright and ambitious student, was murdered in a racist attack that shook Britain and exposed serious failings in the Metropolitan Police. His death, and the long fight for justice, transformed policing, the law, and race relations across the UK, leaving a legacy that continues to influence society more than 30 years later. In this powerful two part episode of True Criminals, Sky News Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt and journalist Helen Fospero revisit one of the most infamous cases in British history. From the night Stephen was fatally stabbed, to the mishandled investigation, to the relentless campaigning of Stephen’s parents, Doreen and Neville Lawrence, this episode examines the personal tragedy, systemic failings, and lasting impact of one of Britain’s most notorious murders. You’ll hear Martin’s first hand reporting from the frontline, Helen’s exclusive interview with Neville Lawrence after two of Stephen’s killers were finally convicted, and an in depth exploration of how the landmark Macpherson Inquiryredefined institutional racism in policing and changed British law forever. True Criminals goes beyond the headlines, providing true crime insights, exclusive interviews, and an in depth look at the cases that shaped modern justice in the UK. Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at www.patreon.com/truecriminals. As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal at PayPal. Follow True Criminals Follow us on Instagram at @true.criminals and subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals. Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at @skymartinbrunt. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at @helenfospero and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information. Executive Producer: Lee Mann. Producer: Russell Barnes. Audio Production: Andrew Chappell. Music Composition: Chap Mannequin. Artwork: Bleached. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on True Criminals, we’re joined once again by long-time friend of the show, bestselling author and true crime expert Howard Sounes, as he explores the infamous murders committed by Fred and Rose West. Howard, who broke major stories on the investigation and coined the term House of Horrors, talks about the hit Netflix documentary Fred & Rose West: A British Horror Story and his chilling new book, The Fred West Tapes: Secrets of the Fred & Rose West Murder Investigation. Nearly thirty years after Fred West’s death and Rose West’s conviction, their shocking crimes continue to fascinate true crime fans worldwide. In this episode, Howard reveals never-before-heard testimony, new evidence from police interviews, and insights into the twisted minds of serial killers Fred and Rose West. From the burial site at 25 Cromwell Street to the devastating impact on the victims’ families, this conversation explores one of the most infamous cases in British true crime history. If you’re a true crime fan interested in Fred West, Rose West, and real-life serial killer investigations, this episode is a must-listen. Howards book: The Fred West Tapes: Secrets of the Fred & Rose West Murder Investigation Available here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fred-West-Tapes-Investigation-chilling/dp/1789468612 If you'd like to listen to this episode ad-free, along with our entire back catalogue, which includes a True Criminals coffee mug, please visit our Patreon page: www.patreon.com/truecriminals As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. If you’d like to help, you can donate via our PayPal link: PayPal ............................ Follow us: Instagram: @true.criminals Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals Connect with Martin Brunt: Twitter: @skymartinbrunt Discover more about Martin’s career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book: No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter. Read Here: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY Connect with Helen Fospero: Instagram: @helenfospero Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation: Listen Here. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575 Credits: True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information. Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Audio Production: Andrew Chappell Music Composition: Chap Mannequin Artwork: Bleached Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this special True Criminals Briefing episode, we bring you the latest updates on the ongoing mystery of Madeleine McCann, one of the world’s most haunting and unsolved missing persons cases. Martin and Helen discuss Martin’s recent trip to Portugal with Sky News. He shares new insights into the Madeleine McCann case, examining the release of prime suspect Christian Brueckner, the evidence prosecutors insist exists but cannot present in court, and the resurfacing of long-abandoned theories. From the troubling allegations against Christian Brueckner, to the controversial idea that Madeleine may have wandered from her family’s holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, this episode explores frustrating dead ends, circumstantial clues, and the lasting impact on both the McCann family and the local community. We discuss: Why German prosecutors insist Christian Brueckner, is guilty but still can’t charge him The theory of a cover-up involving a hit-and-run accident in Portugal How locals in Praia da Luz feel about the continued spotlight on their village The cultural divide fuelling harsh opinions of the McCanns What might come next in the investigation 18 years later, the Madeleine McCann case remains one of the most talked-about true crime mysteries worldwide. Join us as we dissect the latest developments, explore unanswered questions, and consider where the investigation could go next. 👉 Subscribe to True Criminals for more investigative deep dives and breaking updates on the world’s most compelling unsolved cases. If you'd like to listen to this episode ad-free, along with our entire back catalogue, which includes a True Criminals coffee mug, please visit our Patreon page: www.patreon.com/truecriminals As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. If you’d like to help, you can donate via our PayPal link: PayPal ............................ Follow us: Instagram: @true.criminals Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals Connect with Martin Brunt: Twitter: @skymartinbrunt Discover more about Martin’s career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book: No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter. Read Here: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY Connect with Helen Fospero: Instagram: @helenfospero Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation: Listen Here. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575 Credits: True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information. Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Audio Production: Andrew Chappell Music Composition: Chap Mannequin Artwork: Bleached Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on True Criminals, hosted by Sky News Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt and Journalist Helen Fospero, we investigate one of Britain’s most notorious fugitives, Kevin Parle. Parle, also known as “Hemp,” is wanted by police for two brutal murders in Liverpool: the 2004 shooting of 16-year-old Liam Kelly and the 2005 killing of young mother Lucy Hargreaves. For more than 20 years, Kevin Parle has been on the run — making him one of the UK’s most wanted men, with international appeals, renewed rewards, and alleged sightings stretching from Spain’s Costa del Sol to Dubai and Australia. Joining us in the studio is Peter Bleksley, former Scotland Yard undercover detective turned author, broadcaster and investigator. Bleksley is best known for hosting the BBC Sounds podcast Manhunt: Finding Kevin Parle, and for writing the acclaimed book Manhunt: Hunting Britain’s Most Wanted Murderer. He has spent years tracking Parle across continents, piecing together fresh leads and uncovering hidden truths about the fugitive’s network. In this episode, Peter shares what drives him to keep chasing Britain’s most wanted criminal, the dangers he has faced in his personal manhunt, and the latest developments in the search for Kevin Parle. Surfshark VPN: https://surfshark.com/truecriminals or use code TRUECRIMINALS at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN Kevins Book: Manhunt: Hunting Britain's Most Wanted Murderer Available here: https://amzn.eu/d/1y01Opy If you'd like to listen to this episode ad-free, along with our entire back catalogue, which includes a True Criminals coffee mug, please visit our Patreon page: www.patreon.com/truecriminals As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. If you’d like to help, you can donate via our PayPal link: PayPal ............................ Follow us: Instagram: @true.criminals Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals Connect with Martin Brunt: Twitter: @skymartinbrunt Discover more about Martin’s career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book: No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter. Read Here: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY Connect with Helen Fospero: Instagram: @helenfospero Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation: Listen Here. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575 Credits: True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information. Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Audio Production: Andrew Chappell Music Composition: Chap Mannequin Artwork: Bleached Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Carl Miller, the investigative journalist behind the award-winning true crime podcast Kill List, joins Helen and Martin again in the studio for the second part of this conversation. This episode delves deeper into the dark web assassination market, revealing a world where online fantasy bleeds into real violence. Carl and his team exposed a hitman-for-hire site with 175 people targeted for murder. The focus is the shocking case of Kelly Harper, a woman who tried to hire a hitman to kill her ex-husband. We hear Carl’s unfiltered account of the moral dilemmas and personal dangers faced by his team as they raced to warn the victim. Carl explores the emotional and psychological toll of their work and the reality of navigating an incompetent police bureaucracy. He explains why, despite the risks, they had to intervene. Beyond the specific stories, Carl offers critical insights into the failure of law enforcement to combat cybercrime. He explains why the current policing model is broken and argues for a single, national unit to handle these cross-border digital investigations. This powerful story is a testament to courage and resilience, highlighting how ordinary people can become both perpetrators and targets in the modern digital underworld. To listen to Kill List on apple podcasts please follow this link https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/kill-list/id1769072368 If you'd like to listen to this episode ad-free, along with our entire back catalogue, which includes a True Criminals coffee mug, please visit our Patreon page: www.patreon.com/truecriminals As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. If you’d like to help, you can donate via our PayPal link: PayPal Surfshark VPN: https://surfshark.com/truecriminals or use code TRUECRIMINALS at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN ............................ Follow us: Instagram: @true.criminals Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals Connect with Martin Brunt: Twitter: @skymartinbrunt Discover more about Martin’s career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book: No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter. Read Here: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY Connect with Helen Fospero: Instagram: @helenfospero Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation: Listen Here. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575 Credits: True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information. Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Audio Production: Andrew Chappell Music Composition: Chap Mannequin Artwork: Bleached Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Inside Carl Miller’s Killer Podcast Helen and Martin are joined by investigative journalist Carl Miller, creator of the hit podcast Kill List, as he reveals a chilling story of a dark web assassination marketplace, where users paid in cryptocurrency to have real people killed. With thousands of names, detailed profiles, and conversations unfolding in real time, Carl navigates the terrifying line between online fantasy and real-world violence. We dive deep into cases of domestic betrayal, obsession, and power-driven crimes, including the shocking story of Amy Allwine, whose tragic fate unfolded despite police warnings, and Dr. Ronald Ilg, a respected doctor leading a sinister double life. Discover how Carl and his team worked in the shadows to warn potential victims, navigate police bureaucracy, and expose the human desperation fueling these crimes. This episode explores intimate partner violence, the psychology of control, and the modern digital underworld, providing an unflinching look at how ordinary people can become perpetrators and targets of extreme online plots.  Tune in for a gripping, real-world true crime story that reveals how the internet can amplify the darkest impulses—and the courage it takes to confront them. To listen to Kill List on apple podcasts please follow this link https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/kill-list/id1769072368 If you'd like to listen to this episode ad-free, along with our entire back catalogue, which includes a True Criminals coffee mug, please visit our Patreon page: www.patreon.com/truecriminals As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. If you’d like to help, you can donate via our PayPal link: PayPal Surfshark VPN: https://surfshark.com/truecriminals or use code TRUECRIMINALS at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN ............................ Follow us: Instagram: @true.criminals Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals Connect with Martin Brunt: Twitter: @skymartinbrunt Discover more about Martin’s career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book: No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter. Read Here: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY Connect with Helen Fospero: Instagram: @helenfospero Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation: Listen Here. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575 Credits: True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information. Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Audio Production: Andrew Chappell Music Composition: Chap Mannequin Artwork: Bleached Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tia Sharp’s tragic murder shocked the nation, but the investigation revealed far more than her disappearance. In this gripping second episode, Sky News Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt and journalist Helen Fospero, with former Detective Chief Inspector Nick Scola, uncover the tense police operations, media scrutiny, and public outrage as Stuart Hazell’s horrific crimes came to light. Hear how investigators pieced together evidence, navigated a fear-driven police culture, and faced the pressures of solving a high-profile child murder. Explore the ethical dilemmas journalists confronted, the emotional toll on Tia’s family, and the intense public and online reactions following the case. This episode highlights how meticulous police work and overwhelming evidence led to Hazell’s conviction while examining the delicate balance between legal justice and the grief endured by Tia’s loved ones. Part 2 also honors Tia’s life, celebrating the vibrant, loving girl she was beyond the tragedy. #TrueCrimePodcast #TiaSharp #StuartHazell #BritishTrueCrime #ChildMurderCase #UKCrime #TrueCriminals #MartinBrunt #NickScola If you'd like to listen to this episode ad-free, along with our entire back catalogue, which includes a True Criminals coffee mug, please visit our Patreon page: www.patreon.com/truecriminals As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. If you’d like to help, you can donate via our PayPal link: PayPal ............................ Follow us: Instagram: @true.criminals Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals Connect with Martin Brunt: Twitter: @skymartinbrunt Discover more about Martin’s career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book: No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter. Read Here: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY Connect with Helen Fospero: Instagram: @helenfospero Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation: Listen Here. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575 Credits: True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information. Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Audio Production: Andrew Chappell Music Composition: Chap Mannequin Artwork: Bleached Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In August 2012, the disappearance of 12-year-old Tia Sharp from her home in New Addington, South London, became one of the most heartbreaking and high-profile true crime cases in British history. In this gripping first episode of a two-part investigation, True Criminals revisits the shocking murder that stunned the UK and exposed the dark truth hiding within a family home. Hosted by Sky News Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt and journalist Helen Fospero, with exclusive insight from former Detective Chief Inspector Nick Scola—the lead investigator on the case—this episode delivers an unprecedented look inside the real police investigation. Discover how what began as a nationwide missing persons search quickly turned into a murder hunt, the crucial missteps that delayed the discovery of Tia’s body, and how prime suspect Stuart Hazell, her step-grandfather, tried to mislead detectives and the public. True Criminals takes you through the tense week-long search, the false witness who threw police off track, and the shocking “human error” that allowed a killer to hide in plain sight. This is not just a crime story—it’s a haunting reminder of the dangers that can exist behind closed doors. Listen to The Killing of Tia Sharp: Part 1 now and subscribe to True Criminals for more real-life murder investigations, UK true crime cases, and in-depth storytelling that reveals how detectives solve Britain’s most disturbing crimes. #TrueCrimePodcast #BritishTrueCrime #TiaSharp #StuartHazell #MurderInvestigation #LondonCrime #MissingChildCase #TrueCriminals #MartinBrunt #NickScola If you'd like to listen to this episode ad-free, along with our entire back catalogue, which includes a True Criminals coffee mug, please visit our Patreon page: www.patreon.com/truecriminals As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. If you’d like to help, you can donate via our PayPal link: PayPal ............................ Follow us: Instagram: @true.criminals Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals Connect with Martin Brunt: Twitter: @skymartinbrunt Discover more about Martin’s career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book: No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter. Read Here: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY Connect with Helen Fospero: Instagram: @helenfospero Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation: Listen Here. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575 Credits: True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information. Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Audio Production: Andrew Chappell Music Composition: Chap Mannequin Artwork: Bleached Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We conclude our two-part special with forensic science legend Ray Fysh, former advisor to the Metropolitan Police. Joined by hosts Helen Fospero and Martin Brunt, Ray details the pivotal investigations that shaped modern British policing. In this episode, discover the explosive forensic breakthroughs behind London’s most infamous cases. What You'll Hear: Gangland Forensics: The inside story of Operation Sturdy. Learn how a single ballistics match and DNA from a stolen mobile phone were the crucial links that unmasked a brutal gang of killers in 1998. 7/7 & 21/7 Bombings: Ray recounts his radical decision to establish a 24/7 forensic lab. This innovation led to the rapid identification of the 7/7 bombers and foiled a second terror plot just two weeks later. The "Hoax" Demolition: For the first time, Ray reveals how a "proof of concept" explosion—recreating the 21/7 bombers' own device—was used to prove their lethal intent in court and secure convictions. If you'd like to listen to this episode ad-free, along with our entire back catalogue, which includes a True Criminals coffee mug, please visit our Patreon page: www.patreon.com/truecriminals As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. If you’d like to help, you can donate via our PayPal link: PayPal ............................ Ray's book: Shallow Graves: My life as a Forensic Scientist on Britain's Biggest Cases Available here https://amzn.eu/d/2Y5Vn2f Follow us: Instagram: @true.criminals Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals Connect with Martin Brunt: Twitter: @skymartinbrunt Discover more about Martin’s career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book: No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter. Read Here: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY Connect with Helen Fospero: Instagram: @helenfospero Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation: Listen Here. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575 Credits: True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information. Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Audio Production: Andrew Chappell Music Composition: Chap Mannequin Artwork: Bleached Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on True Criminals, hosts Helen Fospero and Martin Brunt are joined by former Metropolitan Police forensic advisor Ray Fysh, author of Shallow Graves: My life as a Forensic Scientist on Britain's Biggest Cases. In part one of this two-part special, Ray shares his involvement in three of the UK's most notorious cases: the murder of eight-year-old Sarah Payne, the M25 rapist Anthony Imiela, and the 1987 bedsit murders. Discover how a single hair, cross-county cooperation, and the evolution of DNA databases led to breakthroughs that brought killers and predators to justice. Ray reveals the pivotal moments in these investigations, from the emotional impact of a DNA match in the Sarah Payne case to the crucial role of a neighbor's tip in catching the M25 rapist. This episode explores the painstaking work of forensic specialists and the moments of innovation that changed criminal investigations forever. If you'd like to listen to this episode ad-free, along with our entire back catalogue, which includes a True Criminals coffee mug, please visit our Patreon page: www.patreon.com/truecriminals As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. If you’d like to help, you can donate via our PayPal link: PayPal ............................ Ray's book: Shallow Graves: My life as a Forensic Scientist on Britain's Biggest Cases Available here https://amzn.eu/d/2Y5Vn2f Follow us: Instagram: @true.criminals Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals Connect with Martin Brunt: Twitter: @skymartinbrunt Discover more about Martin’s career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book: No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter. Read Here: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY Connect with Helen Fospero: Instagram: @helenfospero Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation: Listen Here. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575 Credits: True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information. Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Audio Production: Andrew Chappell Music Composition: Chap Mannequin Artwork: Bleached Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join journalist Helen Fospero and Sky News Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt on True Criminals as they continue their gripping investigation into one of Britain’s most enduring mysteries: the disappearance of Lord Lucan. In Part 2, we’re joined again by investigative journalist Glenn Campbell, whose decades-long pursuit of the truth has unearthed startling new evidence. This episode picks up where Part 1 left off, delving into the global manhunt for Lord Lucan, who vanished after the 1974 murder of nanny Sandra Rivett. Discover the legal battles to declare Lucan deceased, shocking twists around John Aspinall’s intimations, and the renewed interest sparked by the internet and a Metropolitan Police cold case review. We reveal: The contentious 2016 High Court ruling that declared Lucan dead, and Neil Berriman’s fight to challenge it. Explosive eyewitness accounts, including testimony from Mandy Parks, who claims to have seen Lucan alive days after the murder. The extraordinary “Australian theory,” leading to a dramatic encounter with a man whose identity baffled investigators. The groundbreaking use of AI facial recognition, with multiple studies yielding astonishing match probabilities. Glenn’s personal conviction, based on a dying confession, about where and when Lucan truly met his end. If you'd like to listen to this episode ad-free, along with our entire back catalogue, which includes a True Criminals coffee mug, please visit our Patreon page: www.patreon.com/truecriminals As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. If you’d like to help, you can donate via our PayPal link: PayPal ............................ The Search For My Mother's Murderer. : A son's hunt for the British aristocrat Lord Lucan. Available here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lord-Lucan-Search-Mothers-Murderer-ebook/dp/B0DV3THQG3 Follow us: Instagram: @true.criminals Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals Connect with Martin Brunt: Twitter: @skymartinbrunt Discover more about Martin’s career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book: No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter. Read Here: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY Connect with Helen Fospero: Instagram: @helenfospero Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation: Listen Here. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575 Credits: True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information. Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Audio Production: Andrew Chappell Music Composition: Chap Mannequin Artwork: Bleached Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Step inside one of the UK’s most infamous murder mysteries in this gripping two-part special of True Criminals. Hosted by award-winning journalists Helen Fospero and Martin Brunt, we uncover the shocking events of November 7, 1974—the night Sandra Rivett was brutally murdered and Lord Lucan, one of Britain’s most notorious aristocrats, vanished without a trace. In Part 1, we take you deep into the crime scene in Belgravia, London, and re-examine every chilling detail of that fateful night. You’ll hear an exclusive, minute-by-minute account of how Richard John Bingham, 7th Earl of Lucan—a wealthy playboy and professional gambler drowning in debt and marital turmoil—became the prime suspect in a savage attack that left nanny Sandra Rivett dead and Lady Veronica Lucan fighting for her life. Through powerful insights from investigative journalist Glen Campbell, who has pursued the Lucan mystery for nearly three decades, we reveal shocking new perspectives on the case. We trace Lucan’s desperate escape, the blood-soaked discovery in his borrowed car, and explore explosive theories of a high-society cover-up involving his influential friends—business magnate Sir James Goldsmith and casino owner John Aspinall. Was Lord Lucan murdered, did he flee abroad, or was he hidden by a powerful network? Join us as we unravel the evidence, secrets, and unanswered questions behind the disappearance that continues to haunt Britain to this day. ............................ The Search For My Mother's Murderer. : A son's hunt for the British aristocrat Lord Lucan. Available here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lord-Lucan-Search-Mothers-Murderer-ebook/dp/B0DV3THQG3 Follow Us: Instagram: @true.criminals Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals Support Us: If you love the podcast, consider supporting us on Patreon for exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/c/TrueCriminals Connect with Martin Brunt: Twitter: @skymartinbrunt Discover more about Martin’s career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book: No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter. Read Here: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY Connect with Helen Fospero: Instagram: @helenfospero Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation: Listen Here. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575 Credits: True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information. Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Audio Production: Andrew Chappell Music Composition: Chap Mannequin Artwork: Bleached Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Twenty years after the devastating 7/7 London bombings, True Criminals returns with Part 2 of its powerful two-part special, uncovering the untold stories behind the UK’s deadliest terrorist attack since Lockerbie. Back in the studio, Chris Webb — former Head of News and Deputy Director of Media & Communications at the Metropolitan Police — shares insider insight into the intense manhunt for the bombers’ accomplices and the chilling second wave of failed attacks on July 21st. Go behind the scenes of the unprecedented counter-terror investigation, the pressure on frontline journalists, and the bold media strategy used to control information, protect the public, and manage a harrowing victim identification process involving over 1,000 human remains. This episode also investigates the tragic killing of Jean Charles de Menezes, the Brazilian electrician mistakenly shot by police. Discover the ethical dilemmas faced by police and press, and the fragile trust tested during one of Britain’s darkest modern crises. With never-before-heard accounts from those at the centre of the story, True Criminals delivers a powerful look at the legacy of 7/7, the evolution of UK counter-terror laws, and the impact on modern policing, journalism, and national security. Listen now to the shocking conclusion of the 7/7 London Bombings special, Reporting Terror. ............................ True Criminals – Winner of the 2025 True Crime Award for Outstanding Independent Podcast Share Your Thoughts and Questions: Connect with us via email at contact@audiobleachglobal.com. We’d love to hear from you! Follow Us: Instagram: @true.criminals Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals Support Us: If you love the podcast, consider supporting us on Patreon for exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/c/TrueCriminals Connect with Martin Brunt: Twitter: @skymartinbrunt Discover more about Martin’s career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book: No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter. Read Here: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY Connect with Helen Fospero: Instagram: @helenfospero Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation: Listen Here. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575 Credits: True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information. Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Audio Production: Andrew Chappell Music Composition: Chap Mannequin Artwork: Bleached Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Twenty years after the 7/7 London bombings, True Criminals revisits the deadliest terrorist attack on British soil since Lockerbie. In Part 1 of this powerful two-part episode, Sky News Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt and journalist Helen Fospero relive the chaos of July 7th, 2005—when four coordinated suicide bombings struck London’s transport network, killing 52 people and injuring hundreds. As frontline reporters, they describe what it was like to cover the breaking news amid fear, misinformation, and confusion. We’re also joined in the studio by Chris Webb, former Head of News for the Metropolitan Police and Deputy Director of Media and Communications at Scotland Yard, who reveals how the police handled media coordination during one of the UK’s darkest days. This episode offers rare insight into the role of the press and police in real-time crisis response, uncovering how both institutions navigated the emotional and logistical fallout of a national emergency. ............................ True Criminals – Winner of the 2025 True Crime Award for Outstanding Independent Podcast Share Your Thoughts and Questions: Connect with us via email at contact@audiobleachglobal.com. We’d love to hear from you! Follow Us: Instagram: @true.criminals Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals Support Us: If you love the podcast, consider supporting us on Patreon for exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/c/TrueCriminals Connect with Martin Brunt: Twitter: @skymartinbrunt Discover more about Martin’s career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book: No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter. Read Here: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY Connect with Helen Fospero: Instagram: @helenfospero Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation: Listen Here. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575 Credits: True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information. Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Audio Production: Andrew Chappell Music Composition: Chap Mannequin Artwork: Bleached Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark Dyer, the tireless grandson of Muriel McKay, has offered a £1 million reward leading to the ultimate recovery of his grandmother. To keep you better informed on breaking developments in the cases we cover, we're launching True Criminals: Briefings, our new spin-off series for urgent updates. In this inaugural briefing, join hosts Helen Fospero and Martin Brunt as they revisit the chilling 1969 abduction and murder of Muriel Mackay, a case that has haunted Britain for decades. Though two brothers, Arthur and Nizamuddin Hussain, were convicted, Muriel's body was never found, leaving a painful void for her family. Now, a half-century later, that £1 million offer has yielded three astonishing new leads. Mark Dyer shares exclusive details of these critical breakthroughs. Hear the shocking account from the daughter of Arthur Hussain's former employer, revealing a hidden burial beneath a Bethnal Green shop garden. We'll also explore intriguing clues involving a bone unearthed near Rooks Farm and a potential grave beneath a patio on Buntingford High Street. Could these fresh revelations finally bring closure to the Mackay family? Tune in to this essential True Criminals: Briefing to hear the latest in this enduring mystery and the incredible pursuit of justice. ............................ True Criminals – Winner of the 2025 True Crime Award for Outstanding Independent Podcast Share Your Thoughts and Questions: Connect with us via email at contact@audiobleachglobal.com. We’d love to hear from you! Follow Us: Instagram: @true.criminals Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals Support Us: If you love the podcast, consider supporting us on Patreon for exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/c/TrueCriminals Connect with Martin Brunt: Twitter: @skymartinbrunt Discover more about Martin’s career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book: No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter. Read Here: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY Connect with Helen Fospero: Instagram: @helenfospero Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation: Listen Here. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575 Credits: True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information. Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Audio Production: Andrew Chappell Music Composition: Chap Mannequin Artwork: Bleached Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Step back into the sweltering summers of 1984 and 1985 as we unravel the chilling true story of Richard Ramirez — the man who would become known as "The Night Stalker." In this gripping first part of our two-episode special, we examine the wave of violence that swept across California, leaving fear and chaos in its wake. From quiet Los Angeles neighborhoods to the bustling streets of San Francisco, Ramirez’s crimes shocked the nation. His attacks were brutal, random, and terrifying — his victims ranged from 6 to 83 years old. Armed with guns, knives, and even a tire iron, he murdered, raped, and tortured without warning. Satanic symbols, chilling messages, and gruesome mutilations became his trademarks, deepening the public’s horror and fascination. In this episode, we explore: A Pattern of Chaos – Ramirez’s varied methods and diverse victim profiles confounded investigators, who initially believed multiple killers might be involved. Statewide Panic – California, already shaken by serial killers like the Golden State Killer and Ted Bundy, was now consumed by fear amid the growing Satanic Panic of the 1980s. The Relentless Hunt – Detectives like Gil Carrillo and Frank Salerno pushed past skepticism and setbacks, using a shoe print, stolen car, and eventually a fingerprint to close in on their suspect. The Public Strikes Back – On August 31, 1985, citizens recognized Ramirez and chased him down, beating and holding him until police arrived, ending one of the most terrifying killing sprees in American history. This episode dives deep into the brutality and chaos Ramirez left behind. In Part 2, we’ll examine his trial, public obsession, and the disturbing psychology of a killer. ............................ True Criminals – Winner of the 2025 True Crime Award for Outstanding Independent Podcast Share Your Thoughts and Questions: Connect with us via email at contact@audiobleachglobal.com. We’d love to hear from you! Follow Us: Instagram: @true.criminals Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals Support Us: If you love the podcast, consider supporting us on Patreon for exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/c/TrueCriminals Connect with Martin Brunt: Twitter: @skymartinbrunt Discover more about Martin’s career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book: No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter. Read Here: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY Connect with Helen Fospero: Instagram: @helenfospero Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation: Listen Here. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575 Credits: True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information. Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Researcher: Becca Stinton Audio Production: Andrew Chappell Music Composition: Chap Mannequin Artwork: Bleached Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this gripping episode of True Criminals, hosts Martin Brunt and Helen Fospero revisit one of the most chilling and controversial murder cases in recent British history — the 2010 killing of Joanna Yeates, a 25-year-old landscape architect whose disappearance just before Christmas shocked the nation. Join Martin, who covered the case live for Sky News, as he recounts the intense missing persons search, the tragic discovery of Joanna’s body on Christmas Day, and the high-pressure investigation that followed. The episode explores how police initially focused on Joanna’s boyfriend, Greg Reardon, before wrongly arresting her eccentric landlord, Christopher Jefferies — a man vilified by the press before being entirely exonerated. Martin and Helen examine how trial by media distorted the investigation and led to a landmark moment in UK media law, resulting in substantial damages and a national conversation about press ethics and journalistic responsibility. Listeners will also uncover how detectives eventually exposed the shocking truth: the real killer, Vincent Tabak, a Dutch engineer living next door. The hosts break down the forensic breakthroughs, disturbing online searches, and Tabak’s abrupt change of plea that shocked the courtroom. This is a powerful story of misjudgment, media misconduct, and a community shaken by tragedy — a must-listen for fans of true crime, wrongful accusation cases, and criminal justice reporting. ............................ True Criminals – Winner of the 2025 True Crime Award for Outstanding Independent Podcast Share Your Thoughts and Questions: Connect with us via email at contact@audiobleachglobal.com. We’d love to hear from you! Follow Us: Instagram: @true.criminals Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals Support Us: If you love the podcast, consider supporting us on Patreon for exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/c/TrueCriminals Connect with Martin Brunt: Twitter: @skymartinbrunt Discover more about Martin’s career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book: No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter. Read Here: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY Connect with Helen Fospero: Instagram: @helenfospero Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation: Listen Here. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575 Credits: True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information. Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Audio Production: Andrew Chappell Music Composition: Chap Mannequin Artwork: Bleached Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices