S17E04 | Nikkita Grender-Brunnock, Kelsey-May and Missy (Newport, South Wales, 2011)
In 2011, 19-year-old Nikkita Grender was just weeks away from becoming a mother when her life was cut short in the most horrifying way. A fire tore through her Newport flat in the early hours of February 5, and as the smoke cleared, a darker truth emerged - one that pointed to someone close to home.
What seemed like a tragic accident was something far more sinister, leaving a community in shock and a family searching for justice.
This story is genuinely one of the most heartbreaking and disturbing I’ve ever researched in my four-plus years as a true crime podcaster. My sincerest condolences go to Paul, Marcia, and Luke.
For a deeper understanding of this tragic case, I highly recommend you read Nikitta: A Mother’s Story by Marcia Grender, released in February 2016. You can also watch episode 3 of season 2 of Britain’s Darkest Taboos, which aired on October 23, 2013.
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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. You can find the sources for each episode on my website. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support.
References:
Britain’s Darkest Taboos: Our Daughter and Granddaughter Were Murdered on the Same Day (season 2, episode 3). (2013, October 23).
Clements, L. (2021, February 5). The murder of pregnant teenager Nikitta Grender and why her mum never wants killer’s name to be forgotten. Wales Online. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/newport-murder-crime-broadmead-park-19716104
Criminal sentence - Carl Anthony Whant - Newport Crown Court - Mr Justice Griffith Williams. (2012, February 22). The Law Pages. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://www.thelawpages.com/court-cases/Carl-Anthony-Whant-7927-1.law
Frampton, B. (2012, January 26). NIKITTA TRIAL: Jury hears how Nikitta died. South Wales Argus. https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/9494499.nikitta-trial-jury-hears-how-nikitta-died/
Gaskell, S. (2013, March 26). Jury sent home for the night in Nikitta Grender murder trial as they weigh up evidence against Carl Whant. Wales Online. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/jury-sent-home-night-nikitta-2036383
Grender, M. (2016). Nikitta: A Mother’s Story - The Tragic True Story of My Daughter’s Murder. John Blake.
Melville-Smith, A. (2015, January 5). Newport flat where pregnant Nikitta Grender was murdered is being demolished. Wales Online. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/newport-flat-pregnant-nikitta-grender-8381752
NEWPORT MURDER: Teacher’s tribute to “excellent pupil.” (2011, February 8). South Wales Argus. https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/8837443.newport-murder-teachers-tribute-to-excellent-pupil/
Nikitta Grender: Carl Whant fails to have 35 year sentence cut. (2012, November 1). BBC News. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-20172869
Nikitta Grender: Carl Whant jailed for 35 years for murdering pregnant teenager. (2012, February 22). BBC News. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-17112380
Nikitta Grender murder: Carl Whant had “consensual sex with victim” claim. (2012, January 20). BBC News. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-16651161
Nikitta Grender: Timeline of her murder and how killer Carl Whant was caught. (2012, February 22). BBC News. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-17128055
Nikitta Jade “Keet” Grender-Brunnock (1991-2011). (n.d.). Find a Grave. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/91658596/nikitta_jade-grender-brunnock
Sanders, A. (2014, January 20). Plans to demolish flat where teenager Nikitta Grender was murdered. Wales Online. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/plans-demolish-flat-teenager-murdered-6528601
