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Nicola Tallant on why Katie Simpson’s tragic murder leaves so many unanswered questions
Katie Simpson was a talented showjumper whose short adult life centred around the equine industry she'd grown up in. So, when first responders collected her, unconscious and not breathing, from the care of Jonathan Creswell, who would eventually be charged with her murder, police initially believed his claim that he'd found her hanging at home.
Creswell died by suicide in the early days of his trial. Since then, Ms Simpson’s story has been covered at length in documentaries, podcasts, a Police Ombudsman’s report, an independent case review, and a book by Nicola Tallant.
Although a tragic death among the showjumping set is far from her regular Crime World beat, Tallant believes Simpson’s is a dark story with more yet to be told.
This episode contains material that may be distressing. Please take care while listening.
Host: Fionnán Sheehan | Guest: Nicola Tallant (author of Groomed: Coercion, Control and a Cold-blooded Murder, and investigations editor at the Sunday World)
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