Tabla de contenidos para Issue 53 en Crime Monthly

CRIME MONTHLY The cold-case killing of schoolgirl Charlene Downes is being reexamined in a bid to find new evidence. Charlene was 14 when she went missing from her home in Blackpool on 1 November 2003, and it's presumed she was murdered, although her body has never been found. The police believe she may have been a victim of child sexual exploitation, and two men went on trial over her death. However, the jury was unable to reach a verdict, and a planned retrial collapsed. Now, Leeds Trinity University lecturer Dr Kirsty Bennett, who specialises in cold cases, is looking into the case, working alongside Ronay Crompton, from the Justice For Charlene Downes campaign. Ronay said, “Our main aim is to… see where the failings are and go out to get…

CAUGHT ON TAPE The final sighting of 20-year-old Ángela Carolina Acosta Flores was on CCTV. She was captured entering room 404 at the Las Cascadas Hotel in Tijuana around 10.30pm on 24 January 2022. The next day, she was found dead in the bathroom by a hotel employee, and a post-mortem would later determine that she had been viciously strangled. Last month, Bryant Rivera, 30, was arrested by US Marshals in downtown Los Angeles. At time of press, it was reported the Mexican authorities were preparing to request Rivera's extradition to Mexico to face trial for murder – but not just Á ngela's. Court documents stated, “The United States understands that Mexico may add additional charges when it submits the formal request for extradition”, and it's believed Rivera – dubbed…

Crime fiction lost a huge talent when Mo Hayder died in 2021, but the Essex-born author left a real legacy with her novels. Arguably the best of her work is the series featuring DI Jack Caffery, a troubled detective obsessed with the paedophile neighbour he believes murdered his brother in the 1990s. Now, Caffrey is coming to the small screen for the first time, as Ukweli Roach (The Midwich Cuckoos) takes on the central role in this new six-part crime thriller. In an isolated house in Monmouthshire, the Anchor-Ferrers family, including “neurotic housewife” Matilda (Juliet Stevenson, Bend It Like Beckham) and her wealthy, well-connected husband Oliver (Owen Teale, Line Of Duty) find themselves the trapped and terrorised victims of a psychopath's cruel games. Soon, Caffrey is in a nail-biting and…

Crime+ Investigation Play is the UK's only dedicated true-crime streaming service and is packed with the latest premieres and box sets. From Cops Who Kill with Will Mellor to Homicide Hunter, Meet, Marry, Murder to The First 48, all the shows you love are available to stream. With brandnew shows every month, there are thousands of hours of true crime to investigate. Download the app from Google Play or the Apple App Store and watch on your Apple TV, iOS device or Android device. It's also available on Amazon Firestick through Amazon Prime Video Channels. As an exclusive offer, Crime Monthly readers can get their first three months for free. Head to crimeandinvestigationplay.co.uk and enter the promotion code CRIMEMONTHLY. T&Cs apply. EXCLUSIVE OFFER GET THREE MONTHS FOR FREE…

HOT NEW PICKS Look away now if you haven't read Adele's previous book Both Of You, but it ended on a cliffhanger – Kylie Gillingham had vanished, not long after her shocking secret was exposed. A bigamist, she was married to two men at the same time: reliable landscape gardener Mark and dashing Dutch businessman Daan. Now, this book takes up the story. Missing and presumed dead, with the search for her remains continuing, Kylie's disappearance has gripped the nation, with Daan remaining the prime suspect for her murder. Meanwhile, Stacie Jones lives a reclusive life in a small village with her doting father, who has been nursing her as she recovers from illness. But their quiet existence is set to be shattered in the most unexpected way. A slow-burn…

Olivia Johnson has just been reported missing by her new housemates. Last seen on CCTV entering a dead end, she's vanished. Julia Day, the detective in charge of the case, leaves a meal with her crime-obsessed daughter and neglected husband to start the investigation. But strange coincidences, planted evidence and Julia's need to protect her loved ones mean the case is not as it seems. Several narrators take us into an underworld where informants, suspects and previous cases are connected, culminating in a shock twist.…

Abraham Badru was the well-behaved, kind son of Ronke Badru. He lived in Hackney and had big dreams of becoming a footballer. He was just 15 years old when he witnessed the horrific gang rape of a schoolgirl and – according to her – saved her life. Following the attack, Abraham was asked to testify against the perpetrators, which led to nine people being imprisoned. But Abraham's testimony also likely resulted in his death, as he wasn't offered any witness protection, despite receiving threats. In this often emotional pod, host Sam Holder uses the story of Abraham and Ronke to look at racial injustices within the UK's justice system. An incredibly relevant podcast to listen to at a time when trust in the police is at an all-time low.…

CRIME NEWS TOP STORIES FROM AROUND THE GLOBE A 59-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of being the Long Island Serial Killer. Police raided the Massapequa Park home of architect Rex Heuermann last month, and the married dad of two has ince been charged with the murders of Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy and Amber Costello, who went missing between 2009-2010. Eleven sets of human remains have been found around Gilgo Beach since 2010, and investigations linking the suspect to more murders are reportedly ongoing Police had been looking into Heuermann since last year, when he was identified during a fresh look at the decades-old killings. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said, “On 14 March 2022, an investigator was able to identify him in a database. From that point…

London's Metropolitan Police have launched a new crime initiative targeting men who they believe are a danger to women. Inspired by counterterrorism tactics, where a shifting list of suspects is investigated, the aim is to “target the worst offenders before they can commit other offences”. Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said, “It's taking the organised crime approach to male predatory violence. If we go after them proactively, build a case against them, and get them off the streets, that protects women and children.” The crimes the men have committed include attempted murder, assault, rape and coercive control.…

Details have been released about the death of five-year-old Harmony Montgomery, who vanished from New Hampshire in 2019. Her father, Adam Montgomery, is awaiting trial on murder charges, and recently unsealed records reveal his second wife, Kayla, told police he hit Harmony after she wet herself in the car they were living in. She alleged that Adam “delivered sets of three-to-four blows with a closed fist to Harmony's face and head on three occasions over the course of a few minutes”. It's alleged Harmony died in the car, with Adam then placing her body in a duffel bag. The body is alleged to have been moved around and, at one point, placed in a freezer at a food company where Adam worked. Harmony's body has not been found. Adam is…

There have been an estimated 33 suspicious deaths among the Russian ruling classes, potentially linked to Putin and the Kremlin, from the start of 2022 to June 2023. Of those fatalities, the principal cause of death – whether criminal or accidental – was the seven caused by falls. That rises to nine if flights of stairs are included in the figures. Unexplained deaths with no official verdict account for six of the documented demises. Five of the Russians to lose their lives were alleged to have died by suicide, while there were reportedly three additional murder-suicides. Death by drowning and strokes accounted for two cases each, while there was one COVID victim, a helicopter crash, and a heart attack. Fire and a car colliding with a pedestrian complete the list.…

Pramount+'s new eight-part espionage thriller has all the hallmarks of being a top-quality production. It's created by Taylor Sheridan (Yellowstone), and is exec produced by Zoe Saldaña and Nicole Kidman, who star alongside Oscar-winner Morgan Freeman. Not too shabby at all. WHAT'S THE DRILL? Special Ops: Lioness is based on a real-life program, the Lioness Engagement Team, in which highly skilled undercover female operatives are dropped into dangerous situations in order to cultivate friendships with women connected to terrorist organisations. In the dramatic opening scenes, we're immediately plunged into this tense and precarious world as the station chief of the Lionessprogram, hard-as-nails Joe (Saldaña ), must make an incredibly difficult call when one of her operatives’ cover is blown. From this one highly charged, palm-sweating moment, we realise just how…

COMPELLING MYSTERY No one writes a mystery thriller quite like bestselling author Harlan Coben, and he's also made a huge splash in the TV world. His five-year deal with Netflix (which was recently renewed) has produced seven shows and counting, but his latest project is coming to a different streamer in Prime Video. Harlan Coben's Shelter is based on the first novel in the Mickey Bolitar trilogy, and stars 19-year-old Jaden Michael (Colin In Black And White) in the title role. Teen student Mickey is navigating a new life with a mum in rehab, a dead dad, an interfering aunt, and a new school in New Jersey. Mickey finds solace in fellow student Ashley, who's lived through her own tragedy. But when Ashley goes missing, Mickey learns that everything she…

Years ago, Finn changed her name and moved from the US to the UK to get away from the tragic events that occurred at Turtle Lake. Three teens had snuck off to a party, but only two came back – two girls who would later confess to murder. It was the night Finn lost her sister Izzy, and her father swept her away for a fresh start. But Finn has just had a call from a journalist looking back at the events of that night, and things don't add up. But if those girls didn't kill their friend, who did – and are they still out there? A twisty, gripping tale.…

The Misper KATE LONDON (CORVUS, £14.99) Former Met DI Sarah Collins is now working in the countryside when a missing teen turns up on her patch. Getting involved in the investigation, she is soon drawn back to London and the murky world of drug-running gangs. Gripping. The Girl In The Eagle's Talons KAREN SMIRNOFF (MACLEHOSE PRESS, £22) Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist return. Women are going missing in Sweden's far north – and the latest to disappear has a link to Lisbeth. Meanwhile, Mikael also has family troubles and they're about to explode. Thrilling. The Returned AMANDA CASSIDY (CANELO, £14.99) After a fire rips through a house in a small Irish town, Nancy believes her child is dead. But, six years later, she is convinced she sees him at a…

Hosted by truecrime enthusiast Esther Ludlow, this tells the “story behind the story” of real-life offences. The eloquently presented facts are drip-fed over weekly instalments and ramp up the intrigue on a wide range of crimes. With almost 300 episodes to date, this is separated into different series and sub-categories, so whether it's cases that resulted in women ending up on Death Row, or crimes on campus, all aspects of the genre are covered. However, despite Esther's thorough research and her ability to hit the mark when it comes to balancing humour, humility and fact, there is a very jarring obstacle that prevents this from being the ultimate smooth-sailing listening experience. While ads are a given, the sheer volume of them is a constant source of frustration.…

VAL McDERMID With 41 novels and over 19million sales worldwide, Queen of Crime Val returns to the festival. She'll be chatting to fellow bestselling author Abir Mukherjee about her latest DCI Karen Pirie book, fresh from the ITV adaptation of her original novel. DENISE MINA & KARIN SMIRNOFF These authors have taken up the baton of two iconic novel series. Denise is the first woman authorised to write Raymond Chandler's detective Philip Marlowe, while Karin has added her touch to Stieg Larsson's Blomkvist and Salander books. ROB RINDER The criminal barrister and TV personality joins criminal solicitor and author Nadine Matheson as they talk about life on both sides of the law, and how they combine fiction and reality. JAMES OSWALD Along with Alex Gray, the authors will be discussing…

SURVIVAL STORIES CRIME MONTHLY Throwing my hands up in the air, I danced around happily. I was on a date with a man named Steven and we were getting on like a house on fire. I'd first spoken to him a few weeks earlier, after my pals encouraged me to join a dating app. I'd been separated from my husband for two years, and they thought it was about time I got back out there. Steven and I connected straight away and got on great. He was a good-looking, kind and friendly person, who took part in charity runs in his spare time. The date went so well, we met up the following day. We soon got into a relationship and everything moved very quickly. W hen the country went into…

CRIME MONTHLY A 65-year-old London man has been charged with the murders of two women. Carl Cooper appeared at Bromley Magistrates’ Court last month in relation to the stabbing of Naomi Hunte, 41, in Greenwich in February 2022, and the suspected killing of Fiona Holm, 48, who went missing in Bromley two months ago, and has not been seen since. Cooper was questioned last year in connection with Naomi's death, but was released under investigation. Police are appealing for anyone with information on Fiona's disappearance to contact them on 101 or Tweet @MetCC quoting 22MIS023317.…

CRIME NEWS CASES UPDATE Court documents have revealed that Delphi suspect Richard Allen confessed to the 2017 murders of Libby German, 14, and Abby Williams, 13. In the recently unsealed documents, it's claimed Allen, 50 – who was arrested last October – made the admission while on remand at the Westville Correctional Facility. They read, “On 3 April 2023, Richard M. Allen made a phone call to his wife Kathy. In that phone call, Richard M. Allen admits several times that he killed Abby and Libby. Investigators had the phone call transcribed and the transcription confirms that Richard M. Allen admits that he committed the murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German.” It was reported his wife “ended the call abruptly”. His defence team have reportedly said Allen is “schizophrenic…

Long before the Ukraine war, high-profile Russian oligarchs – a small group of vastly powerful people – were dying prematurely. A USA Today investigation revealed that “38 Russian businessmen and oligarchs close to the Kremlin died in mysterious or suspicious circumstances between 2014 and 2017.” One of the most infamous cases was billionaire Boris Berezovsky, who was found dead at his Berkshire home in 2013. The 67 year old had made his fortune buying up former state-owned utilities in what many believe were a series of rigged auctions, and was a major Putin supporter. But, after the 2000 presidential elections in, the former allies fell out and Berezovsky exiled himself in the UK. He became a fierce Putin critic after he was convicted in of fraud and embezzlement in absentia.…

JOE ZOE SALDANA Lioness program chief Joe has a tough job co-ordinating the high-risk terrorist target operations and keeping her undercover agents safe. She also has a husband and family at home who miss her. KAITLYN NICOLE KIDMAN CIA boss Kaitlyn is responsible for Joe and her team's success. When an investigation is carried out into the bodged operation in the Middle East, she provides Joe with sound advice. CRUZ LAYSLA DE OLIVEIRA Cruz is in an abusive relationship anddesperate for an out. So, when achance encounter leads her to the Marines, she's keento sign up. Tough andmentally resilient, she seems the perfect Lioness. NEIL DAVE ANNABLE Neil capably holds the fort when wife Joe is away on her missions, and while their youngest daughter is excited to see Joe…

Melissa Witt was just 19 when she was abducted in Arkansas in 1994. Six weeks later, her body was found in the Ozark National Forest. Local woman LaDonna Humphrey heard about the grim discovery and, even though she'd never met Melissa, made it her mission to find out how the bright, beautiful teenager had met such a terrible fate. This emotional and inspiring film follows LaDonna's team as they're given access to the case files, and work with detectives to get justice.…

CRIME screen HAUNTING REVELATIONS We often hear about the male inmates on Death Row – but what about the women? Out of the 2,738 prisoners who have been sentenced to the death penalty, 51 of them are females, and now this new series shines the spotlight on six of these prisoners, each episode focusing on one. These include Linda Carty, a 64-year-old British grandmother currently serving time in Texas for the murder of Joana Rodriguez; and 55-year-old Melissa Lucio, who is the first woman of Hispanic descent to be given the death sentence in Texas, for the killing of her toddler daughter Mariah in 2007. The cases of Kerry Lyn Dalton, who has been held in a California prison for over 28 years; killers Emilia Carr and Shawna Forde; and Sandi…

A+E INVESTIGATE BODY IN SUITCASE A+E Networks have announced they are making a two-part documentary examining the shocking murder of Mee Kuen Chong (also known as Deborah Chong). She was murdered by her one-time friend, Jemma Mitchell, and her headless body was discovered by hikers in Devon in June 2021. CCTV footage captured Mitchell leaving Deborah's house with a large blue suitcase, which contained her friend's body. Made by the same team who bought us Netflix's I Am A Killer, and with access to family, investigators, and forensic experts, the series will aim to unpick the complex motives and circumstances behind an unlikely friendship that ended in a brutal murder. It airs this September. NEIL'S A WHISTLEBLOWER The great actor Neil Maskell (Litvinenko, Kill List, Utopia) is set to release…

When Lizzy escapes her abusive relationship, a job ad for a live-in nanny in Cornwall provides the perfect opportunity for a new start. She soon finds herself captivated by the Rowe family – enigmatic Laurie, her charming husband Charles, and their two children. But it doesn't take long for Lizzie to realise all is not as it seems – where does Laurie go at night? And what happened to the nanny before? A creepily atmospheric novel, the sense of menace really ratchets up.…

What was the inspiration behind your new novel? Death Of A Lesser God asks a simple question: can post-colonial societies treat their former colonisers justly? James W hitby is an Englishman born in India during the Raj, convicted in post-Independence India of murdering a prominent Indian lawyer. He claims he is innocent, the victim of reverse racism. My lead character Persis has 11 days to find out if W hitby is innocent or guilty before he is hanged. What attracts you most about writing historic crime? So often history is written by the winners, and my Malabar House novels allow me to correct misconceptions about the British time in India. For instance, in The Lost Man Of Bombay, I mention that Mount Everest was named after a Welsh surveyor who…

CRIME screen EMPATHETIC LISTEN Missing persons, unsolved murders and cold cases are the main focus of True Consequences. New Mexico podcaster Eric CarterLandin was inspired to create the podcast after losing his brother Jacob Landin, who was killed three months before his first birthday in 1987. Over 30 years on from Jacob's death, the family have never had justice, so Eric has made it his mission to help others in the same situation. Three years since this pod started, it now boasts more than 150 episodes, which offer “an empathetic look at true crime”, focusing on the victim and pleas for information. Among the recent cases Eric looks is that of Richard Okorogheye, the 19-year-old student found dead in Epping Forest in April 2021. His mother Evidence Joel has filed a…

COLIN SUTTON CrimeCon favourite Colin was a senior investigating officer with the Metropolitan Police, and during his long career, helped catch serial killer Levi Bellfield and Night Stalker Delroy Grant. JULIE MACKAY A former police Detective Superintendent and murder investigator, Julie spent over three decades in policing. She is the author of To Hunt A Killer, about her quest to bring the killer of Melanie Road to justice. PROFESSOR JIM FRASER Forensic scientist Jim has been involved in many highprofile investigations, including the murders of Rachel Nickell, Damilola Taylor, and Lin and Megan Russell. Book tickets now at Crimecon.co.uk/book-now-glasgow…

This summer, Ezra Miller was on thousands of big screens in blockbuster movie The Flash. But Miller was largely absent from the promo surrounding the film, and it's thought to be because, in the last few years, things have gone badly wrong for the non-binary actor, who has been arrested several times. Controversy surrounding Miller started when the actor was filmed in a video in 2020 seemingly choking a woman outside a bar in Iceland. No charges were brought on that occasion, but the star was arrested at a bar in Hawaii in 2022 for disorderly conduct and harassment. The police report alleged Miller, “began yelling obscenities and at one point grabbed the microphone from a woman singing karaoke [disorderly conduct offence] and later lunged at a man playing darts…