S16E01 | Christopher Hartley (Blackpool, Lancashire, 1997)

In December 1997, the streets of Blackpool were shaken by a gruesome discovery. The headless torso of Christopher Hartley was found discarded in the bins of a local hotel - a chilling and tragic end for the 17-year-old.

As the investigation unfolded, it became clear this was no random act of violence. The trail led authorities across borders, ending with the capture of his killer in Ireland.

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Intro music:⁣
David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'⁣
davidjohnbrady.com

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. I list the sources used in each episode on my website. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support.

References:
Accused killer in court fracas. (1998, January 27). Burnley Express, 7.
Arrest in headless body case. (1998, January 1). Wolverhampton Express and Star, 5.
Bate, C., Boduszek, D., Dhingra, K., & Bale, C. (2014). Psychopathy, intelligence and emotional responding in a non-forensic sample: an experimental investigation. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, 25(5), 600–612. https://doi.org/10.1080/14789949.2014.943798
Batey, N. (1998, January 3). BODY IN BIN DRUGS LINK. West Lancashire Evening Gazette, 1.
Beal, P. (1998, January 1). Headless teenager killing horror. Western Daily Press, 11.
BODY IN BIN CLUE. (1998, January 3). Manchester Evening News, 10.
Brady, T. (1999, January 20). Gruesome killer gets life sentence. Irish Independent.
Corpse: new lead for police. (1998, January 16). Gloucester Citizen, 9.
Cox, N. (1998, February 10). Christopher will finally be laid to rest. Burnley Express, 3.
“Cracker” to help in headless murder probe. (1998, January 9). Burnley Express, 1.
Criminal Cases Review Commission. (2024, September 9). Diamond, Stewart. Retrieved December 10, 2024, from https://ccrc.gov.uk/decision/diamond-stewart/
Crowther, S. (1998, January 1). Grim search for severed head. Daily Express, 14.
Cusack, A. (2024, September 22). “Twisted killer cut up my son and won’t tell me where his head is.” The Mirror. Retrieved December 10, 2024, from https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/twisted-killer-cut-up-son-33695997
Darbyshire, A., & Sherdley, B. (1999, January 20). WHY WAS THIS MAN FREE TO KILL? West Lancashire Evening Gazette, 1.
Day by day the terrible story unfolded in court. (1999, January 20). West Lancashire Evening Gazette, 22.
Disley, J. (1998, January 1). I FOUND BOY’S BODY CHOPPED UP IN BIN. Daily Mirror, 11.
Extradition granted over headless body case. (1998, January 17). Birmingham Daily Post, 2.
FATAL ATTRAXCTION OF THE BRIGHT LIGHTS. (1998, January 5). West Lancashire Evening Gazette, 5.
Final farewell for tragic Chris. (1998, February 13). Burnley Express, 1.
Graham, D. (1998, January 5). Man in torso quiz is freed. Manchester Evening News, 5.
Green, N. (1998, January 8). Headless body suspect may face charges. Salford Advertiser, 2.
Headless body: 80 police on the case. (1998, January 5). West Lancashire Evening Gazette, 1.
Headless body is dumped in bins. (1997, December 31). Manchester Evening News, 4.
Headless corpse case trial set. (1998, June 16). West Lancashire Evening Gazette, 9.
Headless corpse: Man denies murder. (1998, May 22). Burnley Express, 1.
Headless corpse trial man’s court lunge. (1998, April 28). Burnley Express, 1.
Hegarty, K. (1998, January 2). BUTCHERED BODY SPARKS MURDER HUNT. Burnley Express, 1.
How young man’s dream ended in a grisly death. (1999, January 20). West Lancashire Evening Gazette, 22.
Iredale, S., & Mangnall, J. (1997, December 31). HEADLESS BODY IS FOUND IN BIN. West Lancashire Evening Gazette, 1.
Landlady: I saw him in hall, mopping up. (1999, January 14). West Lancashire Evening Gazette, 7.
MacAskill, J. (1998, January 1). Maniac hacks off boy’s head. Daily Record, 12.
Man arrested in body in bag case. (1998, January 10). West Lancashire Evening Gazette, 1–4.
Man facing brutal murder charge spent a week in Tralee. (1998, January 16). Kerryman, 4.
Mangnall, J. (1998a, January 6). “CRACKER” HELP FOR POLICE. West Lancashire Evening Gazette, 1.
Mangnall, J. (1998b, January 19). CORPSE IN BAG: MAN IN COURT. West Lancashire Evening Gazette, 1.
McNiffe, M., Boyne, S., Hegarty, S., & Lane, D. (1998, January 11). MAN HELD AFTER HEADLESS CORPSE MURDER. Sunday World (Dublin), 8.
Missing head may be key to grisly mystery. (1998, January 1). Belfast News-Letter, 3.
Murder suspect on extradition remand. (1998, January 10). Evening Herald (Dublin), 42.
Murphy, E. (1998, February 13). Tears for Christopher. West Lancashire Evening Gazette, 1–7.
Police given more time in death case. (1998, January 2). Shropshire Star, 6.
Scene of beheading identified in resort. (1998, January 16). West Lancashire Evening Gazette, 1.
Sherdley, B. (1999a, January 13). Teenage drug user last seen on street. West Lancashire Evening Gazette, 7.
Sherdley, B. (1999b, January 13). TEENAGER’S BODY CUT UP AND DUMPED. West Lancashire Evening Gazette, 1–7.
Suspect set to be extradited. (1998, January 17). West Lancashire Evening Gazette, 1.
Swindlehurst, B., & Mangnall, J. (1998, January 2). BODY IN DUSTBIN: MAN IS QUIZZED. West Lancashire Evening Gazette, 1.
Tip search for missing head. (1998, January 9). West Lancashire Evening Gazette, 1.
Tragic family remember a typical boy who cared. (1999, January 20). West Lancashire Evening Gazette, 21.
Walsh, L. (1998, January 11). Suspect held in headless corpse case. Sunday Tribune, 2.