British Murders with Stuart Blues

In February 2019, three men were murdered in their homes in Exeter, Devon, in a series of attacks that appeared to have no obvious motive. Eighty-year-old Anthony Payne and 84-year-old twin brothers Dick and Roger Carter had lived ordinary lives, with no known connection to one another. So why had these three men been targeted, and what linked their deaths?

As detectives investigated the Exeter murders, they uncovered a disturbing chain of events involving 27-year-old Alexander Lewis-Ranwell, whose mental health had deteriorated significantly in the days leading up to the killings. He'd already been arrested twice within a short period, and concerns had been raised about his increasingly erratic and violent behaviour. His release from police custody would later become the subject of serious scrutiny, raising difficult questions about mental health services, police procedures and whether these devastating events could have been prevented.

In this episode of British Murders with Stuart Blues, I examine the murders of Anthony Payne, Dick Carter and Roger Carter, the psychiatric history of Alexander Lewis-Ranwell, and the events that led to three innocent men losing their lives. We look at the investigation, the legal battle over Lewis-Ranwell's criminal responsibility, and the ongoing inquest examining the decisions made in the crucial hours before the killings. It's a deeply troubling case that raises important questions about mental illness, public safety and the opportunities that may have existed to prevent this tragedy.

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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. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support.
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In October 2006, 77-year-old widow Tilly Campbell was found dead in her home in Donaghadee, County Down, Northern Ireland. The fire brigade had been called to her property, but it soon became clear that Tilly’s death was not the result of a fire. She had been murdered, and what initially appeared to be a tragic accident would soon become a murder investigation, with her next-door neighbour emerging as the prime suspect.

In this anniversary episode of British Murders with Stuart Blues, I revisit the life and murder of Tilly Campbell, looking at the circumstances surrounding her death and the investigation that followed. To mark the 20th anniversary of Tilly’s murder, I’m bringing back my original episode, first released in July 2024. Whether you’re hearing Tilly’s story for the first time or returning to it, join me as we remember her life and revisit a case that deserves to be remembered.

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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. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support.
Got 5 mins? Fill in the Always True Crime survey for a chance to win a £100 restaurant voucher https://podcastsurvey.typeform.com/to/MMk0718T Closes 31st Oct 2026
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In September 1965, six-year-old Margaret Reynolds disappeared while walking to school in Birmingham. Just a few months later, five-year-old Diane Tift vanished while making the short journey home from her grandma’s house in Walsall. Both disappearances sparked major searches, but neither girl was found until their bodies were discovered together on Cannock Chase in Staffordshire.

The discovery transformed two missing-child investigations into one of the most notorious murder cases in the West Midlands. Police began looking for a dangerous offender who appeared to be targeting young girls, while families across Walsall, Birmingham and the surrounding areas were left wondering whether their own children could be at risk. As the investigation grew, detectives examined thousands of vehicles, interviewed tens of thousands of people and began searching for links between seemingly unrelated incidents.

In this episode of British Murders with Stuart Blues, I examine the Cannock Chase murders, the lives and disappearances of Margaret Reynolds, Diane Tift and seven-year-old Christine Darby, and the enormous police investigation that followed. We look at the evidence surrounding the three murders, the attempted abduction that would change the course of the investigation, and the eventual conviction of Raymond Leslie Morris, while also examining the two Cannock Chase murders for which no one was ever convicted.

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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. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support.
Got 5 mins? Fill in the Always True Crime survey for a chance to win a £100 restaurant voucher https://podcastsurvey.typeform.com/to/MMk0718T Closes 31st Oct 2026
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does nearly 40 years of investigating serious crime teach you about murder? Tom Wood has spent almost four decades on the inside of Scottish policing, working as a detective on some of the country's most notorious cases before eventually becoming a senior-ranking police officer. Now a bestselling true crime writer, Tom joins me on British Murders to talk about the investigations, people and experiences that have shaped his extraordinary career.

We discuss Tom's involvement in the hunt for serial child killer Robert Black, including the huge investigation that spanned multiple police forces and eventually became the subject of his new book, Sex, Spies and Bloody Murder. We also talk about the murders of Helen Scott and Christine Eadie, better known as the World's End murders, and what happens when an investigation continues for decades as forensic science and investigative techniques evolve. Along the way, Tom offers a fascinating insight into what really happens behind the scenes of a major murder investigation, and how the reality of police work differs from the version we often see in books, television and true crime documentaries.

We also discuss Tom's transition from detective and senior police officer to bestselling true crime author, his approach to telling the stories of real victims and their families, and some of the remarkable characters and cases featured in Sex, Spies and Bloody Murder, including triple murderer and soldier Andrew Walker. It's a fascinating conversation with someone who hasn't simply researched the history of crime, but spent decades actually investigating it.

Tom Wood's website: tomwoodwriter.co.uk
Buy a copy of Tom's new book Sex, Spies and Bloody Murder here: Sex, Spies and Bloody Murder | Ringwood Publishing

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Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed by my guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast or its host. This episode is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only.
Got 5 mins? Fill in the Always True Crime survey for a chance to win a £100 restaurant voucher https://podcastsurvey.typeform.com/to/MMk0718T Closes 31st Oct 2026
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Some true crime cases stay with you long after you've finished researching them. Maybe it's the unanswered questions, the sheer brutality of what happened, the mistakes made during an investigation, or simply the feeling that there’s something about the case you just can't shake.

In this returning episode of True Crime Catch Up, Stuart Blues of British Murders and Adam Lloyd of UK True Crime get together to talk about the cases they can't stop thinking about. We're revisiting some of the most memorable and disturbing cases we've covered over the years, looking beyond the headlines and discussing the details, unanswered questions and moments that have stayed with us.

And, because we can't spend an entire episode talking about murder without giving ourselves a bit of a breather, we finish with a couple of much more heart-warming stories involving some very good dogs. So settle in for another True Crime Catch Up, as we revisit the cases that have stuck with us long after the microphones were switched off.

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British Murders with Stuart Blues

Disclaimer:
The cases discussed in this podcast episode are real and represent the worst day in many people's lives. We aim to cover such stories with a victim-focused approach, using information from publicly available sources. While we strive for accuracy, some details may vary depending on the sources used. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support.
Got 5 mins? Fill in the Always True Crime survey for a chance to win a £100 restaurant voucher https://podcastsurvey.typeform.com/to/MMk0718T Closes 31st Oct 2026
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.