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Murder in the Graveyard

Murder in the Graveyard

Written by: The Times and The Sunday Times
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Wendy Sewell, a 32-year-old legal secretary, was murdered in the pretty town of Bakewell, in England's Peak District, in September 1973. A cemetery groundskeeper, 17-year-old Stephen Downing, quickly became the prime suspect. Despite having learning difficulties and a reading age of 11, he was arrested, questioned for nine hours without a lawyer present and eventually convinced to sign a confession full of words he did not understand.


Years later, local newspaper editor Don Hale started to campaign over Stephen's conviction, fighting for the case to be sent back to court. Using brand new interviews, Murder in the Graveyard provides a fresh insight into Wendy's murder, as members of the Bakewell community come forward to talk openly about a tragic case that today remains unsolved.

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Wireless Group Limited True Crime
Episodes
  • Reporter - Murder In The Graveyard teaser

    Reporter - Murder In The Graveyard teaser
    Jun 12 2019
    Introducing Murder In the Graveyard, the new true crime series from Wireless Studios

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 min
  • The Story Begins

    The Story Begins
    Jun 24 2019

    In the first part of a major new true crime series we introduce the story of Wendy Sewell, who was murdered in the picturesque English town of Bakewell, in the Peak District National Park, in 1973. Wendy was attacked in broad daylight in the town's cemetery. Stephen Downing, the 17-year-old groundskeeper with learning difficulties and a reading age of 11, was the prime suspect. He was immediately arrested, questioned for nine hours without a solicitor present, and pressured into signing a confession full of words he did not understand.


    Twenty-one years later local newspaper editor Don Hale was thrust into the case. Through a series of brand new interviews, listeners will be given a unique insight into Wendy Sewell's murder, with members of the Bakewell community coming forward for the first time to reflect upon a case that remains unsolved.


    More information can be found at our website; reporterpodcast.com


    Follow us;


    Twitter @reporter_pod


    If you want to read Don Hale's account of the murder, and his campaign to free Stephen Downing, it's available on Apple Books here;


    https://books.apple.com/gb/audiobook/murder-in-the-graveyard/id1466731625

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    38 mins
  • Where's The Blood?

    Where's The Blood?
    Jul 1 2019

    Don Hale digs deeper into the conviction of Stephen Downing for Wendy Sewell's murder, and examines the police evidence that put Stephen inside.


    More information on the case can be found at our website; reporterpodcast.com


    Follow us;


    Twitter @reporter_pod


    If you want to read Don Hale's account of the murder, and his campaign to free Stephen Downing, it's available on Apple Books here;


    https://books.apple.com/gb/audiobook/murder-in-the-graveyard/id1466731625

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    50 mins
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