Paul Joseph Smith, the man responsible for a fatal arson attack that killed two pensioners in St Helens, was found dead in a wheelie bin a week after the fire. Smith died from a cocktail of drugs including heroin, cocaine and pregabalin in a bath at a property in Everton.
Eric Greener, 77, and Sheila Jackson, 83, died days after their home on South John Street was set alight on July 15, 2025. Smith, 40, failed to face justice for his actions after overdosing in a detached house on Coniston Street just days later.
Arson and Trial Details
During the murder trial earlier this year, it emerged that Smith had reported being given a gun and told to “do a person over” on behalf of a man nicknamed “Red Head” – a reference to Kevin Weetman, who was later convicted of manslaughter. The intended victim was Sheila’s son, George Jackson, with the fire started in a dispute over drugs.
Lee Owens, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter, claimed Smith torched the house due to a personal dispute. The fire was set around 12:30am, with Owens and Smith both involved. Neither intended to kill the elderly couple, believing the house was empty.
Smith’s Death and Discovery
Smith is believed to have died on July 20 in a bath at Coniston Street. His body was removed and placed in a wheelie bin behind a derelict building on Thirlmere Drive. Police were notified on July 22 after Steven Wales called to report that Smith had either drowned or overdosed. His brother Michael had reported him missing the previous day.
An inquest heard that while third-party involvement could not be ruled out, the cause of death was given as mixed drug toxicity. Senior coroner André Rebello concluded: “On July 20, 2025, Paul Joseph Smith was found having died in a bath at Coniston Street, Liverpool. He died from taking illicit and sedative drugs which caused respiratory failure.”
Writing in his pathology report, Dr Matthew Lyall stated: “Neither can it be entirely excluded that the deceased was held under water by a third party, but pathological findings cannot prove that occurred.”
Sentencing of Accomplices
Kevin Weetman was jailed for life with a minimum of 25 years for planning the attack. Kylie Maynard, described as Weetman’s trusted lieutenant, received 23 years, and Lee Owens was sentenced to 13 years and six months. All three were cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter.
The family of Eric and Sheila paid tribute, saying: “Sheila and Eric throughout their long, amazing lives showed nothing but love towards each other, and to those all around them. They were the lovelies, kindest, funniest, caring, most beautiful people to ever exist.”
Smith’s family described him as “an amazing father to five children who adored him” and “a loving, supportive partner and a devoted son”.
