On a Saturday afternoon in February 2023, 16-year-old Brianna Ghey left her home in Birchwood, Warrington, to meet a friend. It might not sound like much, but for her, it was a big step. She’d made the journey on her own, got the bus, and was doing what any teenager would do, heading out to spend time with someone she trusted.

But as the afternoon went on, something didn’t feel right. A message she sent to a friend hinted at that. A quiet moment of doubt. And not long after that, in Culcheth Linear Park, everything changed. Because what happened to Brianna wasn’t a random, spur-of-the-moment act. It was planned.

In this episode of British Murders with Stuart Blues, I take an in-depth look at the murder of Brianna Ghey. A case that shocked Warrington, the North West, and the entire UK. We’ll explore who Brianna was, how she met her killers, and how a seemingly normal friendship turned into something unthinkable.

I’ll walk you through the full timeline of events on February 11, 2023, from Brianna leaving home, to her final moments in Culcheth Linear Park. We’ll also examine the background of the two teenagers responsible, the disturbing messages uncovered by police, and the evidence presented during the trial at Manchester Crown Court.

This episode also covers the investigation by Cheshire Police, the arrest and charging of the two suspects, and the court case that followed, where both were found guilty of Brianna's murder. We’ll look at the sentencing, the motives discussed in court - including obsession, violence and vulnerability -and the wider questions this case raises.

But beyond the crime itself, this is about remembering Brianna. A 16-year-old girl described as funny, confident and full of life. Someone who loved pink, made people laugh, and had plans for her future. Plans that were taken away far too soon.

This case sparked national conversation across the UK, including discussions around online behaviour, youth violence, vulnerability, and the importance of trust. It also led to widespread public tributes, vigils across cities like Manchester, Liverpool and London, and ongoing efforts by Brianna’s family to create a positive legacy in her name.

Exclusive content:

Patreon - Ad Free, Early Access, Exclusive Episodes

Follow the show:

British Murders with Stuart Blues

Disclaimer:

The case discussed in this podcast episode is real and represents the worst day in many people's lives. I aim to cover such stories with a victim-focused approach, using information from publicly available sources. While I strive for accuracy, some details may vary depending on the sources used. You can find the sources for each episode on my website. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support.

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

In the mid-1800s, a quiet trail of deaths began to follow a woman across the North East of England. Husbands, children, and relatives seemed to fall suddenly ill, often complaining of stomach pains before dying not long after. At the time, many of these deaths were put down to disease, something that wasn’t uncommon in Victorian Britain.

But over the years, the number of deaths began to raise eyebrows. Wherever this woman went, tragedy seemed to follow. Families were torn apart, life insurance payouts appeared at just the right moment, and whispers began circulating that these deaths might not have been natural at all. Poisoning, suspicion, and greed were all in the mix.

In this episode of British Murders with Stuart Blues, I take a chronological look at the life and crimes of Mary Ann Cotton, one of Britain’s earliest known female serial killers. A woman suspected of poisoning multiple husbands, children, and relatives during Britain’s Victorian era, Mary Ann Cotton remains one of the most infamous female serial killers in UK history. We’ll explore her use of arsenic, the murders that shocked North East England, her trial and execution, and the legacy of suspicion and horror she left behind.

Exclusive content:

Patreon - Ad Free, Early Access, Exclusive Episodes

Follow the show:

British Murders with Stuart Blues

Disclaimer:

The case discussed in this podcast episode is real and represents the worst day in many people's lives. I aim to cover such stories with a victim-focused approach, using information from publicly available sources. While I strive for accuracy, some details may vary depending on the sources used. You can find the sources for each episode on my website. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support.

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

Today marks 17 years since Claudia Lawrence disappeared.

On the evening of March 18, 2009, the 35-year-old chef spoke with her parents before settling in for the night at her home in York. The following morning, she failed to turn up for work at the University of York and missed plans with a friend later that evening. She has never been seen or heard from since.

Despite extensive investigations by North Yorkshire Police, Claudia’s disappearance remains one of the UK’s most high-profile unsolved missing person cases. This episode revisits her story in the hope of keeping her name in the public consciousness.

If you have any information about Claudia Lawrence’s disappearance, please contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org. Alternatively, you can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting “Claudia Lawrence”.

Exclusive content:

Patreon - Ad Free, Early Access, Exclusive Episodes

Follow the show:

British Murders with Stuart Blues

Disclaimer:

The case discussed in this podcast episode is real and represents the worst day in many people's lives. I aim to cover such stories with a victim-focused approach, using information from publicly available sources. While I strive for accuracy, some details may vary depending on the sources used. You can find the sources for each episode on my website. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support.

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