True Criminals

This week on True Criminals, join Sky News Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt and veteran journalist Helen Fospero as they investigate the chilling story that shocked Britain and changed child protection laws forever. In August 2002, the quiet town of Soham, Cambridgeshire, was thrust into the national spotlight when 10-year-old friends Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman vanished. What began as a desperate search soon turned into a chilling true crime case when the girls’ bodies were found—and the horrifying truth about their killer, Ian Huntley, was revealed. Ian Huntley, a school caretaker, had been hiding in plain sight. But what stunned the public even more was that his girlfriend, Maxine Carr, lied for him, providing a false alibi and fueling one of the most disturbing cover-ups in modern UK history. This case would later serve as a wake-up call for the UK’s vetting and child protection systems. This is not just a murder story—this is a case that exposed critical flaws in child safety systems, leading to significant changes in how the UK protects children, from improved background checks to new laws for those working with minors. 🔍 For fans of My Favourite Murder, Criminal, Crime Junkie, and The Murders of Rotherham, this gripping episode of True Criminals is a must-listen for anyone interested in unsolved crimes, child protection reform, and the dark side of human nature. ................................................. Shop Air Up here: Treat yourself or someone special to a refreshing twist with Air Up! Enjoy 10% off your order using the code TRUECRIMINALS at ⁠airup.link/truecriminals⁠. Explore all their delicious flavours today. Share Your Thoughts and Questions: Connect with us via email at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you! Follow Us: Instagram: @true.criminals Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals Support Us: If you love the podcast, consider supporting us on Patreon for exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/c/TrueCriminals Connect with Martin Brunt: Twitter: @skymartinbrunt Discover more about Martin’s career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book: No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter. Read Here: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY Connect with Helen Fospero: Instagram: @helenfospero Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation: Listen Here. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575 Credits: True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information. Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Audio Production: Andrew Chappell Music Composition: Chap Mannequin Artwork: Bleached Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

True Criminals reopens the shocking 1969 Muriel McKay case — a chilling kidnap and murder driven by mistaken identity. Martin Brunt and Helen Fospero investigate one of Britain’s most haunting true crime stories. True Criminals revisits the case that gripped Britain in horror — the 1969 kidnap and murder of Muriel McKay, a woman mistakenly believed to be Rupert Murdoch’s wife. Taken from her London home and held for ransom, Muriel’s tragic fate marked the first time someone in the UK was convicted of murder without a body being found. Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt and investigative journalist Helen Fospero dive into the murky details of this astonishing case of mistaken identity, media obsession, and family heartbreak. This gripping episode features exclusive access to Mark Dyer, Muriel’s grandson, who has spent decades fighting for the truth. Mark speaks candidly about his efforts to recover her remains — including working directly with one of the original kidnappers — and his emotional return to the Hertfordshire farm where his grandmother is believed to be buried. Brunt also shares insight from his own investigation, leading a new excavation in the hopes of finding answers half a century later. For fans of The Missing and They Walk Among Us. Subscribe now to True Criminals — the hit investigative podcast exposing the darkest corners of British crime. ................................................. Shop Air Up here: Treat yourself or someone special to a refreshing twist with Air Up! Enjoy 10% off your order using the code TRUECRIMINALS at ⁠airup.link/truecriminals⁠. Explore all their delicious flavours today. Share Your Thoughts and Questions: Connect with us via email at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you! Follow Us: Instagram: @true.criminals Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals Support Us: If you love the podcast, consider supporting us on Patreon for exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/c/TrueCriminals Connect with Martin Brunt: Twitter: @skymartinbrunt Discover more about Martin’s career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book: No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter Read Here: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY Connect with Helen Fospero: Instagram: @helenfospero Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation: Listen Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575 Credits: True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information. Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Audio Production: Andrew Chappell Music Composition: Chap Mannequin Artwork: Bleached Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

True Criminals concludes its two-part premiere with the shocking conclusion to the Fred and Rose West case. In Part 2, Martin Brunt and Helen Fospero are joined by journalist Howard Sounes to uncover the horrifying truth about the Wests' crimes, exploring the dark secrets and societal impact. Subscribe now! Welcome to the chilling conclusion of True Criminals’ explosive two-part premiere, diving deep into the gruesome crimes of Britain’s most infamous serial killers—Fred and Rose West. In this unmissable episode, hosts Martin Bruntand Helen Fospero are joined by acclaimed journalist and true crime author Howard Sounes, who broke the story that shocked the nation. Sounes, author of Fred & Rose: The Full Story of Fred and Rose West and the Gloucester House of Horrors, offers a rare, first-hand account of the moment the truth about 25 Cromwell Street was unearthed. He details the harrowing excavation that exposed a house of unimaginable horror and the dark secrets buried beneath. Together, Martin, Helen, and Howard explore the wider impact of the case—from critical failures in the criminal justice system to how the media shaped public perception of the Wests’ atrocities. This episode goes beyond the headlines, tackling the deeper psychological and societal implications of the Wests’ crimes—territory rarely explored by other true crime podcasts. With meticulous insight, Sounes traces the disturbing early lives of Fred and Rose West, offering context to the depravity that followed. His expert commentary brings new depth to one of the UK’s most disturbing true crime cases—a story that continues to fascinate and horrify audiences worldwide. For fans of Serial and My Favorite Murder, this episode dives deep into one of the UK's most disturbing true crime cases, offering fresh insights and expert analysis that will keep you captivated from start to finish. Want to learn more? Read Howard Sounes’ definitive book on the case here: Fred & Rose: The Full Story of Fred and Rose West and the Gloucester House of Horrors Amazon Link For Howard’s podcast on the Wests and the House of Horrors, listen here: Unheard: The Fred and Rose West Tapes Apple Podcasts Link Subscribe now to True Criminals on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform—and never miss an episode of this gripping, investigative true crime series. ................................................. Shop Air Up here: Treat yourself or someone special to a refreshing twist with Air Up! Enjoy 10% off your order using the code TRUECRIMINALS at ⁠airup.link/truecriminals⁠. Explore all their delicious flavours today. Share Your Thoughts and Questions: Connect with us via email at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you! Follow Us: Instagram: @true.criminals Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals Support Us: If you love the podcast, consider supporting us on Patreon for exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/c/TrueCriminals Connect with Martin Brunt: Twitter: @skymartinbrunt Discover more about Martin’s career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book: No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter. Read Here: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY Connect with Helen Fospero: Instagram: @helenfospero Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation: Listen Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575 Credits: True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information. Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Audio Production: Andrew Chappell Music Composition: Chap Mannequin Artwork: Bleached Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Part 1 of True Criminals, we dive into the chilling story of Fred and Rose West’s infamous House of Horrors. Sky News Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt and journalist Helen Fospero, uncover behind-the-scenes details, rare interviews, and the investigation that brought the Wests to justice. The True Criminals podcast debuts with a chilling two-part premiere on Fred and Rose West, one of Britain’s most infamous true crime cases. This gripping episode revisits the twisted crimes committed inside the notorious Cromwell Street "House of Horrors", shedding light on the dark secrets behind the couple’s decades-long killing spree. Hosted by Sky News Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt and journalist Helen Fospero, True Criminals takes listeners behind the scenes, featuring exclusive insights from those who lived the story. Brunt reveals rare details from his interviews with survivors and recounts his rare access to Cromwell Street, exposing truths often overlooked in mainstream coverage. This powerful debut episode breaks down how law enforcement missed key red flags and how systemic failures allowed the Wests to evade capture for years. The episode also delves into critical forensic breakthroughs that ultimately led to their arrest. Helen Fospero offers a journalist’s perspective on covering high-profile crime, revealing the emotional and professional challenges of reporting on such disturbing material. For fans of Serial, Making a Murderer, and The Ted Bundy Tapes, this must-listen series dives deep into one of the UK’s darkest true crime stories. Don't forget to subscribe to True Criminals and stream the two-part premiere now on all major podcast platforms. #FredAndRoseWest #TrueCrimePodcast #CromwellStreet #HouseOfHorrors #SerialKillers #TrueCriminalsPodcast #TrueCrimeUK #SkyNewsCrime .............................................................. Shop Air Up here: Treat yourself or someone special to a refreshing twist with Air Up! Enjoy 10% off your order using the code TRUECRIMINALS at ⁠airup.link/truecriminals⁠. Explore all their delicious flavours today. Share Your Thoughts and Questions: Connect with us via email at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you! Follow Us: Instagram: @true.criminals Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals Support Us: If you love the podcast, consider supporting us on Patreon for exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/c/TrueCriminals Connect with Martin Brunt: Twitter: @skymartinbrunt Discover more about Martin’s career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book: No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter. Read Here: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY Connect with Helen Fospero: Instagram: @helenfospero Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation: Listen Here. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575 Credits: True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information. Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Audio Production: Andrew Chappell Music Composition: Chap Mannequin Artwork: Bleached Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Premiering on the 5th of November! Join us for a special double episode with Howard Sounes, the investigative author who first broke the notorious Fred and Rose West "House of Horrors" story. True Criminals is your ultimate source for in-depth explorations of historical crime cases, hosted by veteran crime reporter Martin Brunt and journalist Helen Fospero. Each week, Martin and Helen draw on their decades of frontline experience to bring you stories packed with unique insights and hidden details that you won’t hear anywhere else. Tune in as they uncover compelling, often unheard details about real cases, with special guests like true crime authors, detectives who’ve cracked infamous cases, investigative journalists who broke major headlines, and sometimes even those with firsthand connections to the criminals themselves. For true crime fans hungry for a backstage pass to justice and investigation, True Criminals is your deep dive into the world of real crime. Send your comments and questions to: [email protected] Follow us: Instagram YouTube TikTok True Criminals is an Audio Bleach Global production. Visit us at www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices