This excerpt from True Crime: British Killers – A Prequel: Six Disturbing Stories of Some of the UK’s Most Brutal Killers explores the lives and crimes of several notorious British murderers. The book presents detailed accounts of each killer’s background, motives, and methods, and details the investigations and trials. Among those profiled are Anthony Hardy, known as the Camden Ripper, Peter Bryan, the London Cannibal, John George Haigh, known as the Acid Bath Killer, Dena Thompson, the Black Widow, and Levi Bellfield, the Bus Stop Killer, and Steven Wright, the Suffolk Strangler. The text also examines the impact of the crimes on the victims, their families, and society, including potential healthcare failures.

True Crime: British Killers – A Prequel Study Guide

Key Figures and Cases

Chapter 1: The Camden Ripper (Anthony Hardy)

• Anthony Hardy: The “Camden Ripper,” a British serial killer who murdered three women in Camden, London. He was obsessed with Jack the Ripper and struggled with mental illness and violent tendencies.
• Sally Rose White: A developmentally challenged prostitute murdered by Anthony Hardy.
• Elizabeth Valad & Brigette MacClennan: The other two women murdered by Anthony Hardy, whose body parts were found in garbage bags near Hardy’s flat.
• Freddy Patel: The pathologist who initially determined that Sally Rose White died of natural causes.

Chapter 2: The London Cannibal (Peter Bryan)

• Peter Bryan: The “London Cannibal,” a man with a history of mental illness who killed three people and engaged in cannibalism.
• Nisha Sheth: A shop assistant Bryan murdered after she rejected his advances.
• Brian Cherry: A friend of Bryan’s whom he murdered and cannibalized after being transferred to a low-support accommodation.
• Richard Loudwell: An inmate at Broadmoor who was strangled by Bryan.
• Giles Forrester: During the trial, this judge stated, “You killed on these last two occasions because it gave you a thrill and a feeling of power when you ate flesh.”

Chapter 3: The Acid Bath Killer (John George Haigh)

• John George Haigh: Known as the “Acid Bath Killer,” he murdered multiple people and dissolved their bodies in sulfuric acid.
• William McSwan: Haigh’s first victim, whom he killed for financial gain.
• Amy & Donald McSwan: William’s parents, who were also murdered by Haigh.
• Archibald and Rose Henderson: Another wealthy couple murdered by Haigh.
• Olivia Durand-Deacon: A wealthy widow and Haigh’s final victim.
• Dr. Keith Simpson: The forensic pathologist who found traces of Mrs. Durand-Deacon, leading to Haigh’s arrest.

Chapter 4: The Black Widow (Dena Thompson)

• Dena Thompson: A con artist and attempted murderer known as the “Black Widow” for her manipulative relationships and schemes.
• Lee Wyatt: Dena’s first husband, whom she defrauded and falsely accused.
• Julian Webb: Dena’s second husband, whom she murdered with an overdose of drugs.
• Robert Waite: A lover of Dena Thompson who was drugged while on vacation with her.
• Richard Thompson: Dena’s third husband, whom she attempted to murder with a baseball bat.
• Stoyan Kostavj: A Bulgarian native who was in a relationship with Dena Thompson and has been reported missing.

Chapter 5: The Bus Stop Killer (Levi Bellfield)

• Levi Bellfield: The “Bus Stop Killer,” convicted of murdering Milly Dowler, Marsha McDonnell, and Amélie Delagrange, and attempting to murder Kate Sheedy.
• Milly Dowler: A thirteen-year-old girl who was abducted and murdered by Bellfield.
• Marsha McDonnell: A nineteen-year-old woman murdered by Bellfield.
• Amélie Delagrange: A twenty-two-year-old French student murdered by Bellfield.
• Kate Sheedy: A young woman who survived an attempted murder by Bellfield.
• Johanna Collins: Bellfield’s ex-partner who provided crucial information to the police.
• Yusuf Rahim: Levi Bellfield’s name after converting to Islam.

Chapter 7: A Tragic December (Vincent Tabak)

• Joanna Yeates: A landscape architect murdered by her neighbor, Vincent Tabak.
• Greg Reardon: Joanna Yeates’ boyfriend.
• Christopher Jeffries: Joanna Yeates’ landlord, who was initially vilified by the media.
• Vincent Tabak: Joanna Yeates’ murderer, who initially claimed the death was accidental.

Quiz

1. What was Anthony Hardy’s initial job after graduating from Imperial College London, and how did his career progress before his life spiraled downwards?
2. Describe the events that led to Anthony Hardy’s arrest for the murder of Sally Rose White, focusing on the key pieces of evidence and his initial explanations to the police.
3. Explain the circumstances surrounding Peter Bryan’s first murder and why he was originally charged with manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
4. What was Peter Bryan’s defense to the killing of Joanna Yeates?
5. Describe John George Haigh’s method for disposing of bodies and his reasoning behind this approach.
6. Explain how John George Haigh was ultimately caught, despite his efforts to destroy all evidence.
7. Describe Dena Thompson’s elaborate scheme to convince her first husband, Lee Wyatt, that he needed to go into hiding.
8. Explain how Julian Webb died.
9. Describe the key evidence that linked Levi Bellfield to the murder of Milly Dowler.
10. Why was Christopher Jeffries initially suspected of the death of Joanna Yeates, and what details were the media focusing on?

Quiz Answer Key

1. Anthony Hardy landed a high-paying job with British Sugar and quickly moved up the corporate ranks. However, a severe economic downturn in the mid-1970s led to him losing his job and suffering from depression, ultimately leading to deviant behavior.
2. After a dispute with his upstairs neighbor, Hardy vandalized her door with graffiti and battery acid, leaving a trail of footprints that led back to his flat. When police searched his apartment, they found the naked body of Sally Rose White in a locked bedroom; Hardy claimed it was his roommate’s room, but police found the key in his coat pocket.
3. Peter Bryan murdered Nisha Sheth after she rejected his advances and he was fired from his job due to theft. He struck her repeatedly with a claw hammer. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and was sentenced to a psychiatric unit.
4. Vincent Tabak claimed that he was waving back at Joanna Yeates when she came to her kitchen window. He said that he went inside to chat with her, and when he tried to kiss her, she screamed, so he put his hands around her throat. He said it was not premeditated.
5. John George Haigh dissolved his victims’ bodies in sulfuric acid, believing that if there was no body, there could be no murder conviction. He gained access to sulfuric acid while working in the tinsmith factory in Lincoln Prison.
6. Despite Haigh’s efforts to destroy all evidence, police found traces of Mrs. Durand-Deacon’s sludge in the yard, including gallstones and false teeth. Additionally, bloodstains were found inside the workshop, leading to his arrest.
7. Dena Thompson concocted an elaborate story involving a deal with Disney that supposedly went wrong and involved the mafia. She convinced Lee that the mafia was after him and would eliminate him, so he needed to go into hiding to protect himself.
8. Julian Webb died from an overdose of dothiepin, an anti-depressant, and aspirin in his curry. Dena Thompson spiked the curry with a massive dose of the drugs. The coroner recorded an “Open Verdict” because there was insufficient evidence that Julian died of suicide.
9. The only evidence they had on the murder was the CCTV footage of the red Daewoo Nexia pulling out of Collingwood Place just ten minutes after Milly was last seen. When police realized that Bellfield’s wife owned the Daewoo Nexia, it was clear that he was responsible for that murder as well.
10. Christopher Jeffries was vilified by the tabloid press because he was the landlord of the building. Since there was no sign of forced entry, investigators believed that Joanna had been murdered by someone she knew or someone that had access to the flat; Jeffries had access to the flat.

Essay Questions

1. Discuss the role of mental illness in the cases of Anthony Hardy and Peter Bryan. To what extent did their mental states contribute to their crimes, and how did the legal system address this factor?
2. Compare and contrast the methods used by John George Haigh and Anthony Hardy to attempt to evade detection. What made Haigh’s plan ultimately fail, and what similarities can be drawn between the two cases?
3. Analyze the character of Dena Thompson. What were her primary motivations, and how did she exploit the vulnerabilities of others to achieve her goals?
4. Examine the police investigation of Levi Bellfield. How did they eventually link him to the murders of Milly Dowler, Marsha McDonnell, and Amélie Delagrange, and what role did CCTV footage play in the investigation?
5. Critically evaluate the media coverage of the Joanna Yeates case, focusing on the initial portrayal of Christopher Jeffries. How did the media contribute to public perception, and what were the consequences of their reporting?

Glossary of Key Terms

• Serial Killer: An individual who murders three or more people over a period of more than 30 days, with a “cooling off” period between each murder, and whose motives are often psychological.
• Postmortem Examination (Autopsy): A surgical procedure consisting of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present.
• CCTV: Closed-circuit television, a television system in which signals are not publicly distributed but are monitored, primarily for surveillance and security purposes.
• Forensic Science: The application of scientific methods and techniques to matters of law and criminal justice.
• Sulfuric Acid: A highly corrosive strong mineral acid with the molecular formula H2SO4; John George Haigh used this to dissolve the bodies of his victims.
• Diminished Responsibility: A legal defense that argues a defendant’s mental capacity was impaired, reducing the severity of the charge.
• Red-Light District: A specific area in a city where prostitution and other sexual activities are concentrated.
• Luminol: A chemical that exhibits chemiluminescence, with a striking blue glow, when mixed with an oxidizing agent. It is used by forensic investigators to detect traces of blood, even if it has been cleaned or removed.
• Curfew: A regulation requiring people to remain indoors between specified hours, typically at night.
• Parole: The release of a prisoner temporarily (for a special purpose) or permanently before the completion of their sentence, on the promise of good behavior.

True Crime: British Killers – A Prequel: Six Disturbing Stories

Okay, here is a briefing document summarizing the main themes and key details from the provided excerpts from “True Crime: British Killers – A Prequel: Six Disturbing Stories…”.

Briefing Document: “True Crime: British Killers – A Prequel”

Overall Theme: The book appears to be a collection of true crime stories focusing on various British serial killers and other criminals, exploring their backgrounds, crimes, and the investigations that led to their capture or conviction. It also touches upon the failures and shortcomings of healthcare and justice systems.

Chapter 1: The Camden Ripper (Anthony Hardy)

• Background: Tony Hardy, born in 1952, grew up in a lower-middle-class family. He was driven by a desire for greatness and saw himself as intellectually superior. He attended Imperial College London and eventually became a mechanical engineer.
• Obsession and Decline: He developed an obsession with Jack the Ripper, admiring his ability to evade police. His marriage deteriorated due to his extreme sexual desires, and he suffered a severe economic downturn, which led to depression and violent outbursts. He was diagnosed as bipolar.
• Criminal Behavior: He attempted to murder his wife but was only charged with domestic violence and spent time in a mental hospital. After release, he stalked his ex-wife and hired prostitutes, eventually killing one (Sally Rose White). He was also found guilty of the murders of Elizabeth Valad and Brigitte MacClennan.
• Key Points: Hardy believed he was too intelligent to be caught, mirroring his fascination with Jack the Ripper. Despite his mental illness, he was deemed fit for release from a mental hospital, only to commit murder shortly after.
• Quote: A friend recounted, “Anthony was obsessed with serial killers and we talked about them on several occasions. We had long discussions about Jack the Ripper, and Anthony thought he had a brilliant mind. He reckoned Jack the Ripper was a very clever bloke because he murdered all those prostitutes and never got caught.”
• Forensic Issues: Despite the bizarre staging of Sally Rose White’s body, the initial postmortem examination ruled that she died of natural causes. This highlights potential issues with the initial investigation.
• Outcome: Hardy received three life sentences and was given a whole life tariff in 2012, meaning he will never be released from prison.

Chapter 2: The London Cannibal (Peter Bryan)

• Background: Peter Bryan had a troubled upbringing.
• Crimes: He committed manslaughter and was sent to a psychiatric unit. Eventually, he was moved to a low-security facility and allowed to leave the building unsupervised. He murdered Brian Cherry, dismembering his body and reportedly eating parts of it. He also strangled Richard Loudwell at Broadmoor.
• Key Points: Bryan’s case exemplifies failures in the mental healthcare system. Despite a history of violence and mental health issues, he was repeatedly moved to less secure facilities and given unsupervised access to the community.
• Quote: Bryan said, “I ate his brain with butter. It was really nice.” This shows a lack of remorse and demonstrates his disturbing actions.
• Failures in the System: Reports from the National Health Services point to extreme failures in the healthcare system at every level.
• Outcome: Bryan was sentenced to two life terms and is unlikely to ever be released.

Chapter 3: The Acid Bath Killer (John George Haigh)

• Background: John George Haigh had a strict upbringing and was drawn to crime early on.
• Crimes: He murdered William McSwan, Amy and Donald McSwan and disposed of their bodies using sulfuric acid to fully dissolve the body. Then he murdered Archibald and Rose Henderson and Olivia Durand-Deacon, again attempting to dissolve their bodies in acid.
• Key Points: Haigh believed that if there was no body, there could be no murder conviction.
• Quote: Haigh said, “Mrs. Durand-Deacon no longer exists. I have destroyed her with acid. You will find the sludge which remains at Leopold Road. Every trace of her body has gone. How can you prove a murder if there is no body?”
• Forensic Triumph: Haigh was mistaken, and the police were able to convict Haigh using traces of the victims found in the sludge that remained.
• Outcome: Haigh was found guilty of the murder of Mrs. Durand-Deacon and was hanged at Wandsworth prison.

Chapter 4: The Black Widow (Dena Thompson)

• Deception: Dena Thompson manipulated and deceived multiple men for financial gain. She defrauded her first husband Lee Wyatt, and she poisoned her second husband, Julian Webb.
• Crimes: She was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum sentence of sixteen years for the murder of her second husband. She attempted to murder her third husband but was acquitted of the attempted murder charges.
• Parole: After Dena Thompson’s conviction, investigators teamed with Interpol to look at all of her past lovers. She was granted parole and subsequently released from prison.
• Quote: Her third husband said upon news of her parole, “She definitely tried to kill me, and they proved that she murdered her second husband. She would have been a serial killer if she had been successful. God knows what else she has done.”

Chapter 5: The Bus Stop Killer (Levi Bellfield)

• Crimes: Levi Bellfield was convicted of the murders of Amélie Delagrange, Marsha McDonnell, and the attempted murder of Kate Sheedy. He was later found guilty of the murder of Milly Dowler.
• Vehicle Link: A key piece of evidence was a grainy CCTV footage of a red Daewoo Nexia pulling out of Collingwood Place, just ten minutes after Milly Dowler was last seen. The car was owned by Bellfield’s girlfriend.
• Motive and Patterns: Bellfield had an extreme hatred for young blonde women.

Chapter 6: The Suffolk Strangler (Steven Wright)

• Victims: Within a matter of six weeks, five young women had been murdered. The victims were Paula Clennell, Annel Alderton, Gemma Adams, Tania Nicol and Annette Nicholls.
• CCTV and Forensic Evidence: The key to the case was the large amount of CCTV footage that showed Wright in the area of the crimes and the forensic evidence that linked Wright to the victims.
• Quote: During the trial, the prosecutor asked Wright about the coincidences, to which Wright replied “It would seem so, yes.”
• Outcome: Wright was sentenced to life imprisonment with a recommendation of no parole.

Chapter 7: A Tragic December (Vincent Tabak)

• Victim: Joanna Yeates was murdered in December.
• Circumstantial Evidence: Vincent Tabak, the neighbor, was eventually arrested after Joanna’s body was found. Despite Tabak’s attempt to give himself an alibi, detectives found that Tabak had searched Google street view at the precise location on Longwood Lane where Joanna’s body was found just days before her body was found there. Blood was found in the trunk of his car that matched Joanna’s and the DNA that was found on Joanna’s body matched his own.
• Confession and Conviction: Tabak confessed to a prison chaplain that he had killed Joanna. Vincent Tabak was given a life sentence with a minimum term of twenty years in prison.

True Crime Case Studies

• What was Tony Hardy’s early life and background?

Tony Hardy was born in 1952 into a lower-middle-class family in Staffordshire, England. His father worked in the gypsum mines, and Tony was expected to follow in his footsteps. However, from a young age, Tony felt destined for greatness and desired a life beyond that of a laborer.

• How did Tony Hardy’s obsession with Jack the Ripper manifest itself?

While attending Imperial College, Tony developed a fascination with Jack the Ripper, reading every book he could find about the notorious killer. He admired the Ripper’s ability to evade police and considered him highly intelligent. He discussed his obsession with Jack the Ripper often with his friends and family, and spoke of him as being a “brilliant bloke”. After attempting to murder his wife in Tasmania, and subsequently deported back to the United Kingdom he would tell his friends it was an act to avoid jail time. He believed he could outwit everyone, just like Jack the Ripper.

• What were the circumstances surrounding the murder of Sally Rose White and how was Tony Hardy involved?

Tony Hardy’s roommate, Sally Rose White, who was developmentally challenged and worked as a prostitute, was found dead in their apartment. The scene was staged with disturbing elements like a rubber Satan mask, crucifixes, and photo equipment. Initially, a pathologist determined she died of natural causes, but investigators were suspicious due to the staged scene and blood evidence. After further investigation, Tony was arrested for the murder.

• What was John George Haigh’s method for disposing of his victims, and why did he believe it would lead to acquittal?

Haigh used sulfuric acid to dissolve the bodies of his victims. He believed that if there was no body, there could be no murder conviction, operating under the misunderstanding of the Latin term “corpus delicti.”

• How did Dena Thompson manage to deceive her husbands and lovers, and what were her motives?

Dena Thompson was a master manipulator who wove elaborate lies to deceive her husbands and lovers. Her motives were primarily financial, as she sought to enrich herself through insurance money, pension funds, and property. She created false narratives involving the mafia, forged documents, and even convinced one husband to go into hiding, all to maintain her deceit.

• What were some of the key pieces of evidence that linked Levi Bellfield to his crimes?

Key evidence included security camera footage placing his vehicles near the scenes of the crimes, his ex-partner’s testimony about his hatred of blonde women and his ownership of a white Ford cargo van, and DNA evidence linking him to the victims. Fiber analysis also connected carpet fibers from his van to the hair of one of the victims.

• What role did CCTV play in the investigation into Levi Bellfield?

CCTV was a critical component of the investigation into Levi Bellfield. Police used it to track Bellfield’s movements and identify vehicles of interest.

• How was Joanna Yeates’s body discovered, and what was the cause of death?

Joanna Yeates’s body was found on Christmas Day by a couple walking their dog. Her body was discovered in a snow-covered mound, and the cause of death was determined to be manual strangulation. She had been missing for eight days and was found with forty-three cuts and bruises on her body.

UK Serial Killer Cases

The source discusses several serial killer cases in the United Kingdom:

• Anthony Hardy, also known as the Camden Ripper, was responsible for multiple murders of prostitutes in the Camden area of London. He had an obsession with Jack the Ripper and a history of mental illness and violent behavior. In 2012, Hardy received a whole life tariff, meaning he will never be released from prison.
• Peter Bryan, known as the London Cannibal, was convicted of manslaughter for killing a girl with a hammer. Bryan was transferred to a low-security facility and later killed his friend. He was sentenced to two life terms and is unlikely to ever be released.
• John George Haigh, also known as the Acid Bath Killer, murdered multiple victims and disposed of their bodies using sulfuric acid. He was found guilty and hanged in 1949.
• Dena Thompson, known as the Black Widow, was convicted of deception and the murder of her second husband. On May 23, 2022 Dena Thompson was granted parole and subsequently released from prison.
• Levi Bellfield, known as the Bus Stop Killer, was found guilty of the murders of Amélie Delagrange, Marsha McDonnell, and Milly Dowler. He was sentenced to a whole-life tariff.
• Steven Wright, known as the Suffolk Strangler, was convicted of murdering five prostitutes in Ipswich. Wright was sentenced to life imprisonment with no parole.
• Vincent Tabak was found guilty of the murder of Joanna Yeates and was given a life sentence with a minimum of twenty years in prison.

British True Crime Cases: Notorious Killers

The source provides details of several true crime cases involving British Killers.

• Anthony Hardy: Also known as the Camden Ripper, Hardy murdered prostitutes in London. He was obsessed with Jack the Ripper and had mental health issues. He received a life sentence in 2012.
• Peter Bryan: Known as the London Cannibal, Bryan was convicted of manslaughter for killing a girl with a hammer. While in a low-security facility, he killed his friend. Bryan received two life sentences.
• John George Haigh: Also known as the Acid Bath Killer, Haigh murdered victims and disposed of their bodies with sulfuric acid. He was found guilty and hanged in 1949.
• Dena Thompson: Known as the Black Widow, Thompson was convicted of deception and murdering her second husband. She was granted parole on May 23, 2022.
• Levi Bellfield: Known as the Bus Stop Killer, Bellfield was found guilty of murdering Amélie Delagrange, Marsha McDonnell, and Milly Dowler. He received a whole-life tariff.
• Steven Wright: Known as the Suffolk Strangler, Wright was convicted of murdering five prostitutes in Ipswich and received a life sentence with no parole.
• Vincent Tabak: Tabak was found guilty of murdering Joanna Yeates and received a life sentence with a minimum of twenty years.

British Serial Killer Investigations: Case Details

The source provides details about the criminal investigations into several British serial killer cases:

• Anthony Hardy: In December 2002, the police followed a trail of battery acid to Hardy’s door after he vandalized a neighbor’s property. Upon entering his apartment, they found the naked body of Sally Rose White, along with evidence suggesting a simulated rape. Later, investigators found dismembered body parts in garbage bags that Hardy had deposited using a loyalty card from a local Sainsbury’s grocery store.
• John George Haigh: Police became suspicious of Haigh after Mrs. Lane reported Mrs. Durand-Deacon missing. They discovered Haigh had a history of fraud and forgery. A search of his workshop in Crawley revealed tools, chemicals, a gas mask, and a rubber apron with stains. Although Haigh claimed he had destroyed Mrs. Durand-Deacon with acid, police found traces of her remains, including bloodstains, gallstones, and false teeth.
• Levi Bellfield: Police examined security camera footage and identified a silver Vauxhall Corsa stalking Marsha McDonnell. After another attack, police realized they were looking for a serial killer. They found a white Ford cargo van that had driven the route at the time of another murder. Bellfield’s ex-partner identified him as the owner of the van. Police put Bellfield under surveillance and then arrested him.
• Steven Wright: Police discovered that Wright had a prior offense on his record and that his DNA was in the national DNA database. Detectives examined over 10,000 hours of security camera footage to map Wright’s movements. They found footage of Wright’s car in the areas where the victims disappeared. Forensic scientists found DNA from the victims in Wright’s car and home.
• Vincent Tabak: Security cameras showed Tabak driving to a supermarket, going inside, leaving without buying anything, and then returning to buy items. Tabak had searched Google Street View for the location where Joanna Yeates’ body was discovered. Blood was found in the trunk of Tabak’s car, and his DNA matched the DNA on Joanna’s body.

Forensic Investigations: Hardy, Haigh, Bellfield, Wright, and Tabak

The source details how police forensics played a role in the investigations of several cases:

• Anthony Hardy Police used Luminol to find traces of blood in Hardy’s apartment, even after attempts to clean. The police were able to connect Hardy to dismembered body parts found in garbage bags by using security camera footage that showed him depositing the bags using his Sainsbury’s loyalty card.
• John George Haigh Although Haigh tried to dissolve the bodies of his victims using acid, forensic evidence was used to convict him of murder. Despite Haigh’s belief that a murder was unprovable without a body, Forensic Pathologist Dr. Keith Simpson found traces of Mrs. Durand-Deacon in the sludge remaining at Leopold Road. Police found bloodstains inside the workshop. Additionally, police found gallstones and Mrs. Durand-Deacon’s false teeth that were not dissolved by the acid.
• Levi Bellfield Pollen experts analyzed foliage from Milly Dowler’s remains.
• Steven Wright Forensic scientists were able to duplicate DNA samples and develop a full DNA profile. Microscopic comparison of a nylon fiber found in Tania Nicol’s hair matched the carpet in Wright’s car. Forensic tests on work gloves found in Wright’s home revealed DNA from three of the girls. Fabric from Wright’s home was found on four of the five bodies.
• Vincent Tabak Vincent Tabak had searched Google street view at the precise location on Longwood Lane where Joanna’s body was found. Blood was found in the trunk of his car that matched Joanna’s DNA.

British Killers and Their Crimes

The source and conversation history provide details on several British killers and their crimes:

• Anthony Hardy, known as the Camden Ripper, murdered prostitutes in London and was obsessed with Jack the Ripper. In December 2002, police found the naked body of Sally Rose White in his apartment and later discovered dismembered body parts in garbage bags linked to Hardy via his Sainsbury’s loyalty card. Despite a pathologist’s initial assessment of natural causes, investigators found the scene suspicious. Hardy received a life sentence in 2012.
• Peter Bryan, the London Cannibal, was convicted of manslaughter for killing a girl with a hammer. He killed his friend while in a low-security facility. Bryan received two life sentences.
• John George Haigh, the Acid Bath Killer, murdered victims and disposed of their bodies using sulfuric acid. Despite his attempts to destroy the evidence, traces of his victim Mrs. Durand-Deacon were found in the sludge at his workshop, including bloodstains, gallstones, and false teeth. Haigh was found guilty and hanged in 1949.
• Dena Thompson, the Black Widow, was convicted of deception and the murder of her second husband. She was granted parole on May 23, 2022.
• Levi Bellfield, the Bus Stop Killer, was found guilty of the murders of Amélie Delagrange, Marsha McDonnell, and Milly Dowler. Security camera footage showed a silver Vauxhall Corsa stalking Marsha McDonnell, and later, a white Ford cargo van was identified as being at the scene of another murder. Bellfield’s ex-partner identified him as the van’s owner, leading to his arrest. He received a whole-life tariff.
• Steven Wright, the Suffolk Strangler, was convicted of murdering five prostitutes in Ipswich. His DNA was in the national DNA database due to a prior offense. Police used security camera footage to map his movements and found victim DNA in his car and home. Wright received a life sentence with no parole.
• Vincent Tabak was found guilty of the murder of Joanna Yeates and received a life sentence with a minimum of twenty years. He searched Google Street View for the location where her body was discovered. Blood matching Joanna’s DNA was found in his car.

By Amjad Izhar
Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
https://amjadizhar.blog

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