In a quiet Bedfordshire suburb, life seemed ordinary — neat houses, familiar neighbours, and a woman who opened her home to someone she trusted. But behind the front door, a story was unfolding that would horrify even experienced detectives. What began as a missing person search soon revealed secrets of betrayal, greed, and brutality, earning the case a chilling name: The Butcher of Suburbia.

https://linktr.ee/MurderMostBritish

Sources

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  Judiciary of England & Wales — R v Scott Paterson, Sentencing Remarks (Luton Crown Court), 4 Nov 2024 — life sentence; minimum term 19 years 178 days. 

  
  


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  Bedfordshire Police (4 Nov 2024) — “Man who confessed to killing vulnerable landlady jailed” (case summary and sentence).

  
  


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  Bedfordshire Police (2 Jul 2025) — “Raising the alarm – the Missing Persons team that realised something was wrong” (MPU role; Operation Broome). 

  
  


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  Bedfordshire Police – campaign page — “24 Hours in Police Custody: The Butcher of Suburbia” (Channel 4 double-bill announcement; 29–30 Jun 2025). 

  
  


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  Sky News (4 Nov 2024) — “Tenant who posed as elderly landlady admits murdering her in Fairfield, Bedfordshire.”

  
  


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  The Independent (4 Nov 2024) — “Killer who dismembered landlady and sent Moonpig cards…” (details of method and tariff).

  
  


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  Biggleswade Today (2 Jul 2025) — “How missing person report led Bedfordshire Police to the ‘Butcher of Suburbia’” (local overview tied to the TV doc). 

  
  


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  24 Hours in Police Custody — episode guide — lists “The Butcher of Suburbia (Part One/Two)” airing 29–30 Jun 2025.