S14E09 | David Alderson (Wheal Maid, Cornwall, 2014)

The body of keen cyclist David Alderson was found by a dog walker on January 18, 2014, in the grounds of the old Wheal Maid mine in Cornwall, and given the spot's popularity with riders, his death was initially put down as a tragic accident.

It was only when witnesses started coming forward in the immediate aftermath of the 72-year-old's passing that the true nature of how he died came to the surface. David's death was no accident. It was cold-blooded murder.

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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:
Bike accident theory over mine body. (2014, January 21). ITV News. Retrieved August 6, 2024, from https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/update/2014-01-21/bike-accident-theory-over-mine-body/
Body found at Wheal Maid in Cornwall. (2014, January 18). ITV News. Retrieved August 6, 2024, from https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/update/2014-01-18/body-found-at-wheal-maid-in-cornwall/
Carharrack body is Falmouth man in his seventies. (2014, January 20). ITV News. Retrieved August 6, 2024, from https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/update/2014-01-20/carharrack-body-was-falmouth-man-in-his-seventies/
Cooper sentenced to life imprisonment for Wheal Maid murder. (2015, May 21). Falmouth Packet. https://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/12965406.cooper-sentenced-to-life-imprisonment-for-wheal-maid-murder/
Cornwall quarry murder: Accused “admitted” killing David Alderson. (2016, November 30). BBC News. Retrieved August 6, 2024, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-38162445
Cyclist David Alderson “beaten up and left to drown.” (2015, April 21). BBC News. Retrieved August 6, 2024, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-32403475
Dale, H. (2017, November 23). Falmouth’s Trewen Kevern will spend at least 20 years in prison after losing appeal against murder conviction. Falmouth Packet. https://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/15680302.falmouths-trewen-kevern-will-spend-at-least-20-years-in-prison-after-losing-appeal-against-murder-conviction/
David Alderson murder: Accused Trewen Kevern “a fool not a killer.” (2015, May 11). BBC News. Retrieved August 6, 2024, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-32696681
David Alderson murder: Man jailed for 28 years. (2015, May 21). BBC News. Retrieved August 6, 2024, from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-32787197
Defendant told “lie after lie” following killing of Falmouth pensioner. (2016, November 17). Falmouth Packet. https://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/14912773.defendant-told-lie-after-lie-following-killing-of-falmouth-pensioner/
Dixon, M. (2018, April 24). Campaign to prove innocence of convicted murderer Trewen Kevern. Falmouth Packet. https://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/16181222.campaign-prove-innocence-convicted-murderer-trewen-kevern/
Driving instructor was beaten and left to drown in quarry pool, murder trial told. (2015, April 21). Falmouth Packet. https://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/12903786.driving-instructor-was-beaten-and-left-to-drown-in-quarry-pool-murder-trial-told/
Falmouth cyclist murder suspect may be hiding out in Berkshire: UPDATE. (2014, February 3). Falmouth Packet. https://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/10972161.falmouth-cyclist-murder-suspect-may-be-hiding-out-in-berkshire-update/
Falmouth man charged with murder of driving instructor David Alderson: UPDATE. (2014, August 12). Falmouth Packet. https://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/11403664.falmouth-man-charged-with-murder-of-driving-instructor-david-alderson-update/
Falmouth man pleads not guilty to murder of Falmouth driving instructor David Alderson. (2014, November 26). Falmouth Packet. https://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/11626486.falmouth-man-pleads-not-guilty-to-murder-of-falmouth-driving-instructor-david-alderson/
Gun enthusiast “murdered in quarry” in Cornwall. (2016, November 17). BBC News. Retrieved August 6, 2024, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-38017369
Gye, H. (2015, April 21). “Thieves beat pensioner to a pulp and dumped his body in pond in abandoned copper mine - then used his keys to raid £40,000 from his home safe.” Mail Online. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3049077/Thieves-beat-pensioner-pulp-dumped-body-copper-mine.html
Hunt for killer after Rawtenstall man found dead in Cornwall mine. (2014, January 31). Lancashire Telegraph. https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/10977971.hunt-killer-rawtenstall-man-found-dead-cornwall-mine/
Johnstone, P. (2015, May 18). Jury retires to consider verdict in killing of David Alderson. Falmouth Packet. https://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/12957483.jury-retires-to-consider-verdict-in-killing-of-david-alderson/
Johnstone, P. (2016, December 1). Murder accused Kevin Cooper denies multiple confessions. Falmouth Packet. https://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/14941448.murder-accused-kevin-cooper-denies-multiple-confessions/
Jury sworn in at Truro Crown Court for the trial of two men accused of murdering Falmouth driving instructor. (2015, April 20). Falmouth Packet. https://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/12901017.jury-sworn-in-at-truro-crown-court-for-the-trial-of-two-men-accused-of-murdering-falmouth-driving-instructor/
Kevin Neil Cooper. (2015, May 21). The Law Pages. Retrieved August 6, 2024, from https://www.thelawpages.com/court-cases/Kevin-Neil-Cooper-15398-1.law
Kevin Neil Cooper. (2016, December 21). The Law Pages. Retrieved August 6, 2024, from https://www.thelawpages.com/court-cases/Kevin-Neil-Cooper-18952-1.law
Life sentences for David Alderson murderers. (2016, December 21). Falmouth Packet. https://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/14980363.life-sentences-for-david-alderson-murderers/
Magill, P. (2014, November 18). Rossendale man murder trial delay over new charge. Lancashire Telegraph. https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/11609708.rossendale-man-murder-trial-delay-new-charge/
Man appears in court charged with murder of former Rossendale man. (2014, February 9). Lancashire Telegraph. https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/10997688.man-appears-court-charged-murder-former-rossendale-man/
Man arrested as part of Falmouth murder investigation. (2014, February 5). Falmouth Packet. https://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/10984873.man-arrested-as-part-of-falmouth-murder-investigation/
Man charged with murder of David Alderson from Falmouth. (2014, February 6). Falmouth Packet. https://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/10991316.man-charged-with-murder-of-david-alderson-from-falmouth/
Man denies murder of Falmouth driving instructor. (2014, June 5). Falmouth Packet. https://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/11258884.man-denies-murder-of-falmouth-driving-instructor/
Man in court over ‘murder’ of East Lancashire man at Cornwall mine. (2014, March 5). Lancashire Telegraph. https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/11053823.man-court-murder-east-lancashire-man-cornwall-mine/
Manhunt continues after body found at old mine. (2014, January 30). ITV News. Retrieved August 6, 2024, from https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/update/2014-01-30/manhunt-continues-after-body-found-at-old-mine/
Matthews, C. (2017, November 23). Kevin Cooper and Trewen Kevern found guilty and sentenced for murder of pensioner David Alderson. Cornwall Live. Retrieved August 6, 2024, from https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/alderson-cooper-kevern-murder-mine-823730
Murder detectives launch urgent appeal to find suspect after body of keen cyclist, 72, is found at mine works. (2014, January 29). Mail Online. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2548319/Detectives-launch-appeal-body-cyclist-David-Alderson-Wheal-Maid-works.html
Murder inquiry launched after body found in mine. (2014, January 29). ITV News. Retrieved August 6, 2024, from https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/update/2014-01-29/murder-inquiry-launched-after-body-found-in-mine/
One found guilty in Wheal Maid murder. (2015, May 21). Falmouth Packet. https://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/12964610.one-found-guilty-in-wheal-maid-murder/
Police continue murder investigation after body found. (2014, January 29). ITV News. Retrieved August 6, 2024, from https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/update/2014-01-29/police-continue-murder-investigation-after-body-found/
Police continue to hunt for Kevin Cooper. (2014, January 30). ITV News. Retrieved August 6, 2024, from https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/update/2014-01-30/police-continue-to-hunt-for-kevin-cooper/
Police seek man in connection with body found at mine. (2014, January 29). ITV News. Retrieved August 6, 2024, from https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/update/2014-01-29/police-seek-man-in-connection-with-body-found-at-mine/
Trewen Nicholas Kevern. (2016, December 21). The Law Pages. Retrieved August 6, 2024, from https://www.thelawpages.com/court-cases/Trewen-Nicholas-Kevern-18951-1.law
Wheal Maid death cyclist David Alderson “was murdered.” (2014, January 29). BBC News. Retrieved August 6, 2024, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-25947274