In Part 2, Tom Wood continues his conversation with former Metropolitan Police detective Mike Barley about the disappearance of Suzy Lamplugh.
Mike explains how the investigation into the abduction and murder of Shirley Banks brought convicted killer John Cannan to the attention of the Lamplugh inquiry. A bungled robbery, a discarded vehicle tax disc and Shirley’s repainted Mini—fitted with a mysterious false registration plate—created a trail investigators could not ignore.
Mike also recounts his 1990 prison interview with Cannan. When challenged about his claim that a “Bristol businessman” was responsible for the deaths of Suzy Lamplugh, Shirley Banks and another woman, Cannan gave a one-word answer before immediately retracting it. Mike explains why he regarded that brief exchange as a confession.
He then sets out his theory about the “Mr Kipper” appointment in Suzy’s diary, where she may have been abducted and why he wanted the disused Norton Barracks searched.
After the interview, former detectives Tom Wood and Simon McLean examine the evidence, Cannan’s patterns of offending and the difficult balance between pursuing an experienced detective’s instincts and maintaining discipline within a major investigation.
John Cannan was convicted of murdering Shirley Banks. He was never charged with or convicted of involvement in Suzy Lamplugh’s disappearance. Mike Barley makes clear that his conclusion is his personal investigative belief—not proof established in court.
Content warning: This episode contains discussion of abduction, sexual violence and murder.
CHAPTERS
00:00 — Cold open: the one-word answer
00:43 — Shirley Banks and the first link to John Cannan
04:13 — A former partner’s account and Norton Barracks
07:22 — Cannan’s conviction and criminal history
10:49 — Testing Cannan’s account of his movements
12:48 — How Shirley Banks was abducted
15:22 — Preparing for the Wakefield Prison interview
19:31 — The SLP number plate and Cannan’s answer
24:26 — Mike’s theory about Suzy’s disappearance
28:15 — The Norton Barracks search that never happened
30:48 — Tom and Simon review the interview
38:39 — Did Mike become too close to the investigation?
40:02 — Leadership, resources and the missed search
43:39 — HOLMES and managing a cold case
44:53 — Hunches, hierarchy and investigative discipline
49:07 — Next time on Crime Time Inc.
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Mike Barley & Russell Barnes — Suzy Lamplugh: The Inside Story of Britain’s Most Notorious Missing Person Investigation
UK: Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GX81YK1N
Outside the UK: Search Amazon in your local country for ASIN B0GX81YK1N
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