Catch up TV

Series 5: 4. The Killer Next Door

The first case in this episode looks at the killing of 46-year-old Elaine Collie, who was found tortured and killed in her flat in Muirhouse, Scotland, in 1999. \n\nThe crime scene pointed to murder, and investigators discovered cash cards were stolen to withdraw money from Elaine’s bank accounts. A breakthrough comes when detectives analysing her phone records discover a call made to a local woman unconnected to Elaine. They find out that she lives with a partner, 40-year-old John Reid, but when they seek him out, he’s already in jail, arrested a few days earlier for being drunk and disorderly. It sounds like he had an alibi. \n\nBut when investigators seek the help of forensic pathologist Dr Basil Purdue, they discover the time of death was before Reid ended up in jail. \n\nThe police then discover Reid owns the flat right beside the victim and uses it for a mail drop – where his social security cheque is posted to. \n\nNow, they enlist the expertise of forensic scientist Shirley Marshall to search the flat for evidence that links Reid to the murder scene. Using DNA analysis, Shirley is able to prove that Elaine’s blood is found on rope, electrical cord and a tea towel, all found at the property. Further examination of the knots tied in the rope also point towards someone with a background around boats – Reid had previously worked as a fisherman in Dunbar. \n\nFaced with the overwhelming forensic evidence, Reid finally pleaded guilty and was given a life sentence. The case features interviews with Des Thomas, a former DCI at Lothian Borders Police, knot expert Richard Hopkins and Jason Collie, Elaine’s nephew. \n\nThe second case in the programme looks at one of the most extraordinary murder investigations in British history – the killing of reclusive couple Patricia and William Wycherley. \n\nIn 2013, police receive a call from an elderly lady claiming her stepson Christopher Edwards had contacted her and confessed to murdering his in-laws over a decade ago and that their bodies were buried in their back garden. \n\nWhen police and forensics teams dug up their bodies, the truth behind how they died became paramount, not to mention how their disappearance hadn’t been noticed for so long. \n\nWhen detectives finally caught up with Edwards, who was married to the couple’s daughter Susan, the level of deception became clear. Before selling the Wycherleys' home in 2005, Edwards would routinely visit the house and carry out maintenance suggesting the Wycherleys, who were rarely seen in by their neighbours, were still alive and well. The Edwards went so far as to send Christmas cards to relatives on the Wycherleys' behalf. \n\nBank records showed a possible motive, with Susan taking over and draining her parents’ accounts shortly after their murders. And she claimed to police that her mum had shot her dad after an argument, and in a tussle, Susan then shot her mum. Christopher Edwards had apparently only found out about the murders a week later when he went with Susan to supposedly visit her parents. It was then that they claimed he helped her bury the bodies. \n\nExpert witness Home Office pathologist Stuart Hamilton was tasked with unravelling the truth and proved that the testimony of Susan was flawed and the bodies were more likely buried straight after the murders. \n\nDetectives linked Susan and Christopher to the banking visits just two days after the murders, which backed Stuart’s theory up. And a final impromptu demonstration by Christopher Edwards – a gun club member – on how he would fire a weapon, eradicated the couple’s hopes for a manslaughter charge against Susan and a lesser charge against Christopher. \n\nBoth were convicted of murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Source: BBC 1