Police Refute Serial Killer Allegations in ITV Documentary on Murder-Suicides
A new ITV documentary has reopened questions about four deaths in Wilmslow during the 1990s. Cheshire Police have publicly rejected claims linking the cases to a serial offender.
The cases
Two elderly couples died in separate incidents in the same town. Harold and Bea Ainsworth died in April 1996, and Donald and Auriel Ward in November 1999.
Both deaths were originally concluded to be murder-suicides, with each husband said to have killed his wife and then himself. The incidents occurred in Wilmslow, Cheshire.
The 2020 report and allegations
In 2020 a former senior coroner’s officer, Stephanie Davies, compiled a 197-page report. She argued the scenes showed patterns consistent with double murders staged as murder-suicides.
Davies linked the two Wilmslow cases to other suspicious deaths in the North-West. The report suggested a possible single offender, sometimes referred to as the “Silver Killer”.
Police response and disciplinary findings
Cheshire Police issued a robust statement disputing those claims. The force said detectives, specialist forensic scientists, and the National Crime Agency found no evidence to reopen the investigations.
Chief Constable Mark Roberts QPM said there was no proof of double murders or a serial killer in these historic deaths. He added that staff can raise concerns, but must follow procedures.
The force also confirmed disciplinary action against the staff member who produced the report. Stephanie Davies was found guilty of seven counts of gross misconduct, and was placed on the College of Policing barred list.
Families and harassment claims
Both the Ainsworth and Ward families reportedly opposed a televised probe. They told police they did not want involvement with the production and later felt harassed by the production company.
The chief constable said the former officer’s actions caused unnecessary distress for bereaved relatives. He asserted that proper investigative routes were not followed.
Forensic voices and calls for review
The ITV documentary features forensic expert Dr Angela Gallop. She asked for a review of the conclusions in both cases.
Stephanie Davies told Filmogaz.com she had shared her concerns with police since 2018. She said international experts backed parts of her analysis and that her report was publicly leaked in 2020.
Davies has urged an independent inquiry into how Cheshire Police handle complex death investigations. The force maintains its internal processes were appropriate.
ITV response and broadcast details
ITV told Filmogaz.com it acted with transparency and followed Ofcom guidelines. The broadcaster said it respected families’ wishes, offered Cheshire Police a right of reply, and included views from eminent forensic scientists.
The programme has attracted controversy, with police refute language used to challenge serial killer allegations raised in the ITV documentary. The episode aired on 30 March on ITV1 at 9pm.
