REDRUM true crime

In the spring and summer of 1993, fear quietly moved through London’s gay community - although, at first, hardly anyone realised a serial killer was already hunting in plain sight.
He wasn’t lurking in alleyways. He wasn’t breaking into homes. Instead, he walked into pubs, struck up conversations, bought drinks, flirted, and blended in. Charming when he wanted to be, organised to an almost terrifying degree, he specifically targeted men who enjoyed BDSM and the passive role during sex, knowing they would initially trust him, believing they were stepping into a consensual encounter. But behind closed doors, what began as fantasy would turn into something unimaginably sinister.
This week on REDRUM, I dive into one of Britain’s most disturbing yet lesser-known serial killers: Colin Ireland, later dubbed “The Gay Slayer” by the press. A man who made a chilling New Year’s resolution - to become a serial killer - and then methodically set out to achieve it.
From the coded world of London’s 1990s gay scene and the now-infamous Coleherne Arms pub, to a deeply troubling investigation riddled with missed opportunities, assumptions, and devastating failures, this case raises uncomfortable questions about prejudice, vulnerability, and whether these murders could have been stopped sooner.
Why were multiple deaths initially ruled accidental? How did a killer manage to evade capture while returning to the same hunting ground over and over again? And what happens when the person police are searching for starts calling them directly?
This is a story of manipulation, control, hidden lives, and a predator who understood exactly how to weaponise trust.
Stonewall: ⁠https://www.stonewall.org.uk/about-us/who-we-are⁠
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Podcast versions of all episodes if you prefer to listen on the go:
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Sources & Accuracy: Information in these videos is gathered from publicly available sources such as news reports, interviews, court documents, and online discussions. While I do my best to present accurate and up-to-date information, some details may be incomplete, outdated, or disputed. Statements made by individuals are presented as claims or allegations unless officially confirmed.
Opinion & Commentary: All content is created for informational and commentary purposes. The views expressed are my own and should not be taken as fact. This content is not intended to harm, accuse, or misrepresent any individual or group. Viewers are encouraged to do their own research and form their own conclusions.
No Professional Advice: Nothing in this content should be considered legal, professional, or expert advice. Duhh guys I'm no lawyer.
Fair Use Notice: This content may include clips, images, or references used under fair use for commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.
Liability: I make no guarantees about the completeness or accuracy of the information presented and accept no liability for any errors, omissions, or outcomes related to its use. All information is provided “as is,” and it is your responsibility to verify any details independently.
If you're able, please support me on Patreon/buymeacoffee/YouTube membership to continue bringing REDRUM content to YouTube. Thanks, Grace x
Patreon monthly subscription- ⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/redrumtruecrime⁠⁠⁠
A one off donation- ⁠⁠⁠www.buymeacoffee.com/redrumhumans⁠⁠⁠
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Thanks,
Grace x
See Privacy Policy at ⁠⁠⁠https://art19.com/privacy⁠⁠⁠ and California Privacy Notice at ⁠⁠⁠https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In August 2017, just hours before Hurricane Harvey unleashed devastation across Texas, 37 year old mother of 2 Crystal McDowell vanished without a trace.
Crystal had everything to live for. A thriving real estate career, 2 children she adored, and a new relationship that friends said had brought happiness back into her life after divorce. The morning she disappeared, Crystal kissed her boyfriend goodbye and set off to pick up her children from her ex-husband’s house in Baytown, Texas. But she disappeared.
As floodwaters swallowed roads and emergency services became overwhelmed, loved ones feared Crystal may have become trapped in the deadly storm. But when her abandoned black Mercedes was discovered outside a motel with the keys left behind and no sign of Crystal, investigators began to fear something far more sinister had happened.
Sign up for the free REDRUM newsletter, full of all things true crime, as well as a run down of all the latest REDRUM cases. This will only ever come to you once a month... I'm no fan of spam. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W79H87S Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redrumtruecrime/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redrumtruecrime/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/redrumtruecrime You can email me: redrumtruecrimepodcast@gmail.com SHOP MERCH: redrumtruecrime.myshopify.com Podcast versions of all episodes if you prefer to listen on the go: https://open.spotify.com/show/1FCoeRZQeDkEJ5i8bGuFpy?si=ec5c7c4c945c4952 Sources & Accuracy: Information in these videos is gathered from publicly available sources such as news reports, interviews, court documents, and online discussions. While I do my best to present accurate and up-to-date information, some details may be incomplete, outdated, or disputed. Statements made by individuals are presented as claims or allegations unless officially confirmed. Opinion & Commentary: All content is created for informational and commentary purposes. The views expressed are my own and should not be taken as fact. This content is not intended to harm, accuse, or misrepresent any individual or group. Viewers are encouraged to do their own research and form their own conclusions. No Professional Advice: Nothing in this content should be considered legal, professional, or expert advice. Duhh guys I'm no lawyer. Fair Use Notice: This content may include clips, images, or references used under fair use for commentary, criticism, and educational purposes. Liability: I make no guarantees about the completeness or accuracy of the information presented and accept no liability for any errors, omissions, or outcomes related to its use. All information is provided “as is,” and it is your responsibility to verify any details independently. If you're able, please support me on Patreon/buymeacoffee/YouTube membership to continue bringing REDRUM content to YouTube. Thanks, Grace x Patreon monthly subscription- www.patreon.com/redrumtruecrime A one off donation- www.buymeacoffee.com/redrumhumans Youtube monthly membership levels- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvGzDaluex7D_hPe7exgKhQ/join Thanks, Grace x See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In February 2000, Christine Chappel disappeared from their home in the quiet Essex village of Roxwell. At first, no one realised anything was wrong. But that all changed when a dog walker on a beach made a discovery that would leave investigators stunned.

A body had washed ashore near Kessingland. It was naked, wrapped in heavy chains, secured with padlocks, and weighed down with gym equipment in what appeared to be a deliberate attempt to ensure it would never be found. When police finally identified the victim as Christine Chappel, questions immediately began to mount. Was this murder? Suicide? Or something far more complicated?

As detectives retraced Christine’s final days, they uncovered a life marked by upheaval, personal struggles, and identity. Born Bryan Hooley, Christine had transitioned in the 1990s, navigating life as a transgender woman during a period where trans experiences were rarely understood or represented. But by the time of their death, Christine’s world had become increasingly difficult - a failed court battle, financial pressures, family breakdown, and growing uncertainty about identity all cast long shadows over their final months.

In this case, the most unsettling question wasn’t just how Christine died…it was about someone much closer to home...

Sign up for the free REDRUM newsletter, full of all things true crime, as well as a run down of all the latest REDRUM cases. This will only ever come to you once a month... I'm no fan of spam. ⁠⁠https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W79H87S⁠⁠

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Podcast versions of all episodes if you prefer to listen on the go:

⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1FCoeRZQeDkEJ5i8bGuFpy?si=ec5c7c4c945c4952⁠⁠

Sources & Accuracy: Information in these videos is gathered from publicly available sources such as news reports, interviews, court documents, and online discussions. While I do my best to present accurate and up-to-date information, some details may be incomplete, outdated, or disputed. Statements made by individuals are presented as claims or allegations unless officially confirmed.

Opinion & Commentary: All content is created for informational and commentary purposes. The views expressed are my own and should not be taken as fact. This content is not intended to harm, accuse, or misrepresent any individual or group. Viewers are encouraged to do their own research and form their own conclusions.

No Professional Advice: Nothing in this content should be considered legal, professional, or expert advice. Duhh guys I'm no lawyer.

Fair Use Notice: This content may include clips, images, or references used under fair use for commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.

Liability: I make no guarantees about the completeness or accuracy of the information presented and accept no liability for any errors, omissions, or outcomes related to its use. All information is provided “as is,” and it is your responsibility to verify any details independently.

If you're able, please support me on Patreon/buymeacoffee/YouTube membership to continue bringing REDRUM content to YouTube. Thanks, Grace x

Patreon monthly subscription- ⁠⁠www.patreon.com/redrumtruecrime⁠⁠

A one off donation- ⁠⁠www.buymeacoffee.com/redrumhumans⁠⁠

Youtube monthly membership levels- ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvGzDaluex7D_hPe7exgKhQ/join⁠⁠

Thanks,

Grace x

See Privacy Policy at ⁠⁠https://art19.com/privacy⁠⁠ and California Privacy Notice at ⁠⁠https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In July 1992, 23 year old Rachel Nickell headed out for a morning walk across Wimbledon Common with her 2 year old son, Alex. But what should have been an ordinary summer morning turned into one of Britain’s most shocking and devastating crimes.

In this episode of REDRUM, we uncover the brutal murder of Rachel Nickell, the nationwide panic that followed, and the investigation that spiralled into one of the most controversial police failures in modern British history. From the intense scrutiny placed on an innocent man, to undercover honeytrap operations, criminal profiling, missed warning signs, and the terrifying crimes of Robert Napper, this is a case filled with devastating mistakes, systemic failures, and lives forever changed. But as police became fixated on one suspect, a far more dangerous predator may have already been hiding in plain sight…

Dwaine George INNOCENCE project case: ⁠https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/pro-bono/cardiff-university-innocence-project/dwaine-george⁠



Sign up for the free REDRUM newsletter, full of all things true crime, as well as a run down of all the latest REDRUM cases. This will only ever come to you once a month... I'm no fan of spam. ⁠⁠https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W79H87S⁠⁠
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You can email me: ⁠⁠redrumtruecrimepodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠
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Podcast versions of all episodes if you prefer to listen on the go:
⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1FCoeRZQeDkEJ5i8bGuFpy?si=ec5c7c4c945c4952⁠⁠
Sources & Accuracy: Information in these videos is gathered from publicly available sources such as news reports, interviews, court documents, and online discussions. While I do my best to present accurate and up-to-date information, some details may be incomplete, outdated, or disputed. Statements made by individuals are presented as claims or allegations unless officially confirmed.
Opinion & Commentary: All content is created for informational and commentary purposes. The views expressed are my own and should not be taken as fact. This content is not intended to harm, accuse, or misrepresent any individual or group. Viewers are encouraged to do their own research and form their own conclusions.
No Professional Advice: Nothing in this content should be considered legal, professional, or expert advice. Duhh guys I'm no lawyer.
Fair Use Notice: This content may include clips, images, or references used under fair use for commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.
Liability: I make no guarantees about the completeness or accuracy of the information presented and accept no liability for any errors, omissions, or outcomes related to its use. All information is provided “as is,” and it is your responsibility to verify any details independently.
If you're able, please support me on Patreon/buymeacoffee/YouTube membership to continue bringing REDRUM content to YouTube. Thanks, Grace x
Patreon monthly subscription- ⁠⁠www.patreon.com/redrumtruecrime⁠⁠
A one off donation- ⁠⁠www.buymeacoffee.com/redrumhumans⁠⁠
Youtube monthly membership levels- ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvGzDaluex7D_hPe7exgKhQ/join⁠⁠
Thanks,
Grace x
See Privacy Policy at ⁠⁠https://art19.com/privacy⁠⁠ and California Privacy Notice at ⁠⁠https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.⁠
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sakia Gunn was a 15 year old girl from Newark, New Jersey, whose life was taken in the early hours of the 11th of May 2003.
This episode follows the case as we unpack the final moments of Sakia’s life, the confrontation at a Newark bus stop that changed everything, and the devastating moments that followed. We explore the investigation into her murder, the arrest of the lead suspect, and the legal questions surrounding hate crime legislation in the early 2000s. We also look at the wider social context of the case... what it meant to be a young Black lesbian teenager in 2003, the realities of navigating identity at a time of far less acceptance, and how Sakia’s death sparked outrage, activism, and lasting calls for change.
But what happened to Sakia Gunn didn’t end at that bus stop… and the questions her death raised are still being asked more than 20 years later.

Newark Pride Alliance, donate here: https://www.newarkpride.org/donate

Sign up for the free REDRUM newsletter, full of all things true crime, as well as a run down of all the latest REDRUM cases. This will only ever come to you once a month... I'm no fan of spam. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W79H87S
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redrumtruecrime/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redrumtruecrime/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/redrumtruecrime
You can email me: redrumtruecrimepodcast@gmail.com
SHOP MERCH: redrumtruecrime.myshopify.com
Podcast versions of all episodes if you prefer to listen on the go:
https://open.spotify.com/show/1FCoeRZQeDkEJ5i8bGuFpy?si=ec5c7c4c945c4952
Sources & Accuracy: Information in these videos is gathered from publicly available sources such as news reports, interviews, court documents, and online discussions. While I do my best to present accurate and up-to-date information, some details may be incomplete, outdated, or disputed. Statements made by individuals are presented as claims or allegations unless officially confirmed.
Opinion & Commentary: All content is created for informational and commentary purposes. The views expressed are my own and should not be taken as fact. This content is not intended to harm, accuse, or misrepresent any individual or group. Viewers are encouraged to do their own research and form their own conclusions.
No Professional Advice: Nothing in this content should be considered legal, professional, or expert advice. Duhh guys I'm no lawyer.
Fair Use Notice: This content may include clips, images, or references used under fair use for commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.
Liability: I make no guarantees about the completeness or accuracy of the information presented and accept no liability for any errors, omissions, or outcomes related to its use. All information is provided “as is,” and it is your responsibility to verify any details independently.
If you're able, please support me on Patreon/buymeacoffee/YouTube membership to continue bringing REDRUM content to YouTube. Thanks, Grace x
Patreon monthly subscription- www.patreon.com/redrumtruecrime
A one off donation- www.buymeacoffee.com/redrumhumans
Youtube monthly membership levels- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvGzDaluex7D_hPe7exgKhQ/join
Thanks,
Grace x
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.