Catching a Serial Killer: Inside the Investigation | Real Stories True Crime Documentary

Real Stories27 minutes read

Detective Steve Fulcher pursued a case involving a kidnapping, successfully locating the victim alive, despite facing challenges. Key evidence was ruled inadmissible, affecting the prosecution's case against the suspect Christopher Halliwell.

Insights

  • Detective Steve Fulcher took significant risks to save kidnapped victims, leading to successful outcomes despite controversial methods.
  • The legal system's strict adherence to procedural rules sometimes hinders justice, as seen in the case where crucial evidence was deemed inadmissible, impacting the trial's outcome.

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Recent questions

  • Who is Steve Fulcher?

    A detective involved in a kidnapping case.

  • What was the pivotal clue in the case?

    A phone trace indicating Sean was alive.

  • Who was Christopher Halliwell?

    The driver of a Toyota Avensis.

  • What was the outcome of the search operation?

    Sean O'Callaghan was found alive.

  • What was the judge's ruling regarding evidence?

    Evidence from conversations with Halliwell was inadmissible.

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Summary

00:00

Detective risks all to save kidnapped victim.

  • Six years ago, top detective Steve Fulcher took on a case involving a kidnapping, facing a serial killer.
  • The case involved the disappearance of 22-year-old Sean O'Callaghan from Wiltshire, prompting a search.
  • Fulcher's investigation escalated when a clue from a phone trace indicated Sean was alive and in Savernake Forest.
  • A search operation involving hundreds of volunteers was conducted in a 6.5-mile radius around the forest.
  • CCTV footage of Sean entering a car led to the identification of a Toyota Avensis and its driver, Christopher Halliwell.
  • Halliwell's suspicious behavior, including cleaning his car and disposing of items, raised concerns.
  • Fulcher decided to arrest Halliwell under suspicion of kidnapping, despite the risk of losing crucial information.
  • During an urgent interview, Halliwell refused to disclose Sean's whereabouts, leading to a high-risk plan to locate her.
  • Fulcher persuaded Halliwell to lead them to Sean, eventually finding her in a remote location.
  • Despite initial fears for Sean's life, she was found alive, and Fulcher expressed gratitude for the successful outcome.

23:26

Confession Leads to Trial in Murder Case

  • A man in charge described another victim, a girl taken from Manchester Road in Swindon, a prostitute, possibly in 2003, 2004, or 2005.
  • The man offered to show the exact spot where he buried her, indicating certainty.
  • Christopher Hallowell should have been charged with suspicion of murder, given the victim's state.
  • Despite the victim being dead for some time, the defense of kidnapping was deemed invalid.
  • Steve Fulcher agreed to accompany the man to find the victim, a decision that altered his life.
  • The man showed a list of girls on his phone who trusted him as their preferred taxi driver.
  • Hallowell was not cautioned or offered a solicitor, weakening the case for breaking police rules.
  • Fulcher contemplated the consequences of accepting a confession under the circumstances.
  • The judge ruled that evidence from Fulcher's conversations with Hallowell was inadmissible.
  • Forensic evidence linked Hallowell to one victim, allowing the trial to proceed for that case.
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