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In 2011, the peaceful town of Haslemere, Surrey, was shaken by a horrific crime that shattered a family. Heather Cooper, a former detective constable and devoted mother, was killed by her partner - the father of their two young children.
In a chilling act of violence, Heather's life was taken in front of their three-year-old son, while their newborn, a daughter who was only weeks old, was left helpless. The aftermath of that tragic day left an entire community in shock and mourning.
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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:
ABOUT | LighttheLakes. (n.d.). LighttheLakes. Retrieved September 23, 2024, from https://www.lightthelakes.org/about
Bean, D. (2012, July 31). Heather Cooper’s murderer found dead in jail. York Press. https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/9845425.heather-coopers-murderer-found-dead-in-jail/
Bell, J. (2012, May 1). Illuminating tribute to murdered policewoman Heather Cooper. York Press. https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/9680018.illuminating-tribute-to-murdered-policewoman-heather-cooper/
Detective who murdered his partner is found hanged in cell. (2012, July 30). The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/jul/30/jailed-detective-murder-hanged-cell
Fagge, N., Andrews, E., & Greenwood, C. (2011, October 20). Detective quizzed on killing of woman PC lover and dumping her body in woodland. Mail Online. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2050128/Detective-quizzed-killing-woman-PC-lover-dumping-body-woodland.html
Fund grows after death of Surrey officer Heather Cooper. (2012, February 23). BBC News. Retrieved September 23, 2024, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-17137538
Hanged in his cell: Ex-cop found dead after being jailed for life for battering lover to death in front of their two kids. (2012, July 30). The Mirror. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/peter-foster-disgraced-former-cop-1188790
Heather Cooper death: Family “devastated.” (2011, October 20). BBC News. Retrieved September 23, 2024, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-15393889
Heather Cooper death: Policewoman beaten and stabbed. (2011, October 19). BBC News. Retrieved September 23, 2024, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-15371941
Life term for “savage” murder of Heather Cooper. (2013, July 2). Surrey Live. Retrieved September 23, 2024, from https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/local-news/life-term-savage-murder-heather-4810448
Liptrot, K. (2011, November 22). Hundreds gather at York Minster for funeral of murdered policewoman Heather Cooper. York Press. https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/9375725.hundreds-gather-at-york-minster-for-funeral-of-murdered-policewoman-heather-cooper/
Massaquoi, M. (2009, January 22). Sierra Leone: Armed Robbers Murder British National. AllAfrica. Retrieved September 24, 2024, from https://allafrica.com/stories/200901220726.html
Miller, D. (2011, October 21). Pictured: The policewoman found beaten and stabbed to death and dumped in secluded woodland. Mail Online. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2051516/Heather-Cooper-death-Policewoman-body-Blackdown-Forest-pictured.html
Mitchell, B. (2012, June 26). Detective Peter Foster jailed for murder of partner | The Independent. The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/detective-peter-foster-jailed-for-murder-of-partner-7888432.html
“Mummy is in heaven”: Reverend reveals heartbreaking words of boy, 3, whose policewoman mother was “murdered by her partner.” (2011, November 22). Mail Online. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2064388/Heather-Cooper-funeral-Reverend-reveals-heartbreaking-words-son-3.html
Parents of murdered York police officer to identify body. (2011, October 18). York Press. https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/9311289.parents-of-murdered-york-police-officer-to-identify-body/
Peter Foster. (2012, June 26). The Law Pages.
Police detective died from a blow to the head and a cut throat. (2012, February 7). The Mirror. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/police-detective-died-from-a-blow-to-the-head-275213
Rychlikova, M. (2012, May 1). Heather Cooper’s partner denies murdering detective. York Press. https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/9680031.heather-coopers-partner-denies-murdering-detective/
Sims, P. (2012, June 27). Wicked, savage and senseless: Ex-detective killed partner in front of their children. Mail Online. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2164871/Ex-detective-Peter-Foster-killed-partner-Heather-Cooper-children-jailed-life.html
