Former EastEnders actress Gemma McCluskie, 29, was brutally murdered by her brother Tony, who struck her over the head at least twice before dismembering her body and dumping it in London's Regents Canal. Her head was found floating in the canal six months after the killing.
The Actress and Her Disappearance
McCluskie was best known for portraying Kerry Skinner on the BBC soap EastEnders from October 2000 to February 2001. She had also been a children's TV presenter on CBBC's No Sweat in 1997. After stepping away from the limelight, she vanished from her East London flat, which she shared with her brother Tony, on March 1, 2012. She was last seen at home with her brother that afternoon and later visited a kebab shop at 8pm that evening, the last time she was seen alive.
Discovery of Remains
Her loved ones organized a search party of up to 100 people on March 5. The following day, her headless torso was discovered in Regent's Canal. Her brother had disposed of it after killing her. A week later, more remains were recovered, including her limbs inside a plastic bag. It took six months for her head to be found in the water.
Trial and Conviction
Tony McCluskie was charged with her murder on March 10, 2012, and appeared before Thames Magistrates' Court two days later. The trial began in January 2013. The court heard that Tony had used cannabis, skunk, and window cleaner, which had caused him to 'lose control'. The siblings had frequent rows; Tony claimed his sister came at him with a knife. However, the prosecution argued he killed her after losing patience when she asked him to leave the flat following an incident where he left taps running, causing a sink to overflow. After the murder, Tony hauled a heavy suitcase to a local cab firm and was seen transporting it toward the canal. When the taxi driver asked about the contents, Tony said it was a 'sound system'.
Tony McCluskie was found guilty by an 11-1 majority and handed a life sentence. Mr Justice Fulford stated: 'I have no doubt that you killed your sister because she was furious with you for letting a sink overflow in the bathroom. I unhesitatingly reject your account that she had used bad language towards you or that she had belittled you in the past. She was a warm-hearted woman who was loved by a great many people.' The judge added that the crime was carried out in a 'cold-blooded way' and that the perpetrator hoped 'she would never be found'.
Family's Grief
Anthony McCluskie, father of both siblings, spoke outside court about the 'extremely traumatic' ordeal. He described his daughter as 'small in stature' but with a 'huge personality' and an infectious 'zest for life'. He concluded that she was 'very much loved' and 'greatly missed'.
