Channel 4's new documentary, The Showjumper Murder, examines the death of showjumper Katie Simpson and how the man accused of her murder died before sentencing.
Background of the case
Katie Simpson, 21, from Tynan in County Armagh, died in 2020 after being found hanging from a stairwell at her home. She was taken to Altnagelvin Hospital with serious injuries and died six days later without regaining consciousness. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) initially treated her death as suicide.
Detective's doubts and investigation
Detective James Brannigan reviewed the evidence and disagreed with the suicide ruling. An ombudsman report later found the police investigation was flawed, noting that no effective searches were carried out at Ms Simpson's address. Her phone was later found hidden in a field after Creswell's arrest in March 2021.
Jonathan Creswell's role and history
Jonathan Creswell, the victim's brother-in-law and the man who found her body, had called 999 pretending to discover her. Police later concluded he had beaten and strangled her. Creswell had a criminal record for a serious assault on another female showjumper, and eleven years before Simpson's murder, he was convicted for assaulting his partner at the time. He denied murder and rape, but was found dead the day after his trial began.
Documentary details
Part one of The Showjumper Murder airs on Thursday July 23 on Channel 4 at 10pm.
