S12E01 | The Murder of Rachael Lean (Buxton, Norfolk, 1995)

In this episode, I tell the story of Rachael Lean, an 18-year-old killed near Buxton, Norfolk, in September 1995.

Rachael's sudden disappearance on September 5, after missing a dinner appointment with her mum, prompted a five-day search. Last seen that afternoon chatting with Maria Hnatiuk outside the Naafi shop at RAF Coltishall, where her father worked, Rachael's body was eventually discovered on September 10, not far from the RAF station.

Following Hnatiuk's arrest and questioning, she confessed to the crime, attributing it to diminished responsibility and placing the blame on her controlling boyfriend, Ian Wells. On November 28, 1996, Hnatiuk received a life sentence after being unanimously found guilty of murder by the jury at Norwich Crown Court.

Join my Patreon community at patreon.com/britishmurders for exclusive perks, including early access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, exciting giveaways, and much more!

Do you have a case request? Please send it to contact@britishmurders.com or fill out a Contact Form at britishmurders.com/contact

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

References:⁣
Armstrong, J. (1995, September 11). Fitness fanatic Rachael was so keen to start uni. Daily Mirror, 2–3.
Dando, N. (1996a, November 12). “VICTIM OF A LESBIAN SEX KILLER.” Bristol Evening Post, 3.
Dando, N. (1996b, November 14). GIRL, 18 “KNIFED OVER 50 TIMES.” Bristol Evening Post, 11.
Dando, N. (1996c, November 19). My affair with Radio One DJ. Bristol Evening Post, 11.
Dando, N. (1996d, November 22). JURY TOLD OF SUICIDE THREAT BY KILLER, 29. Bristol Evening Post, 6.
Drew, M. (1995, September 12). RACHAEL: CITY WOMAN HELD. Bristol Evening Post, 1–2.
Edwards, J. (1997, May 15). KINKY GIRL’S EX IS QUIZZED. Daily Mirror, 21.
Ex-boyfriend freed on bail. (1997, May 16). Sandwell Evening Mail, 9.
Farmer, B. (1996a, November 12). The man “feared” by girl’s killer. Manchester Evening News, 12.
Farmer, B. (1996b, November 22). Murder trial told of gay sex. Western Daily Press, 10.
Farmer, B. (1996c, November 26). Killer “controlled by sadistic boyfriend.” The Scotsman, 6.
Farmer, B., & McCarthy, R. (1996, November 29). Teenager’s killer jailed for life. The Scotsman, 2.
George, M. (1996, December 2). Maria’s lover denies role in Rachael killing. Western Daily Press, 9.
Grieving couple’s plea to find killer. (1995, September 14). Reading Evening Post, 2.
Jealousy explanation “unusual”: Doubts cast on killer’s motive. (1996, November 27). Bristol Evening Post, 15.
Kane, P. (1995, September 12). Rachael: 250-mile dash to arrest woman. Daily Mirror, 1–5.
Lane, D. (1999, August 1). SLICED INTO PIECES BY THE WOMAN HE LOVED: How femme fatale turned honeymoon into a horror story. Sunday World (Dublin), 36.
Mackay, D. (1996, November 29). LIFE FOR BLONDE BEAST WHO BUTCHERED PAL. Daily Record, 9.
Man freed in Rachael Lean murder hunt. (1995, September 14). The Scotsman, 2.
MARIA LOVER IN THE CLEAR. (1997, July 9). Daily Mirror, 11.
McCarthy, R. (1995, September 12). Teenager died from stab wounds - police. Aberdeen Press and Journal, 13.
Murdered girl’s mum manager at Porvair. (1995, September 12). Lynn Advertiser, 1.
Pair arrested in death probe. (1995, September 12). Aberdeen Evening Express, 10.
Rachael died in knife frenzy. (1995, September 13). Liverpool Echo, 9.
Rachael hunt - police release man without charge. (1995, September 14). Dundee Courier, 13.
RACHAEL MAN’S DAD DIED AS HE IS QUIZZED. (1995, September 13). Daily Mirror, 5.
RACHAEL MURDER CASE JURY RETIRED. (1996, November 28). Bristol Evening Post, 15.
Rachael murder hunt: Man held. (1995, September 12). Manchester Evening News, 10.
Rachael murder: Parents speak. (1995, September 13). Nottingham Evening Post, 7.
Rachael’s killer cries over ex-boyfriend’s domination. (1996, November 13). Birmingham Daily Post, 7.
Radio DJ raped me says killer. (1996, November 15). Daily Mirror, 5.
Roses for tragic Rachael. (1995, September 28). Western Daily Press, 25.
Shaw, A. (1996a, November 12). LUST OF LESBIAN KILLER. Daily Mirror, 14–15.
Shaw, A. (1996b, November 20). RACHAEL HAD TO DIE: Killer tells of knife frenzy. Daily Mirror, 15.
Shaw, A. (1996c, November 21). MY MONTHS OF SEX WITH KINKY KILLER BY DJ RICHARD SKINNER. Daily Mirror, 11.
Suspect’s love life. (1995, September 13). South Wales Echo, 4.
Tavener, R. (1995, September 12). WEST WOMAN IN QUIZ OVER RACHAEL. Western Daily Press, 1–2.
Thomas, C. (1996, November 12). Tragic Rachael: Victim of a “calculating and wicked woman.” Western Daily Press, 3.
Trial hears of lesbian’s model fury. (1996, November 16). Daily Mirror, 17.
Victim so good at cheering people up, says teacher. (1996, November 29). Birmingham Daily Post, 7.
WOMAN HELD ON RACHAEL KILLING. (1995, September 11). Liverpool Echo, 2.
Woman held over death of teenager. (1995, September 12). The Scotsman, 2.
Woman on Rachael murder charge. (1995, September 15). Bristol Evening Post, 2.
Woman quizzed after Rachel horror find. (1995, September 12). Daily Record, 9.