Funeral Director Victims Condemn Police 'Double Standards' Over Documentary Filming
Victims of the disgraced 'Frankenstein funeral director' Robert Bush have voiced intense anger upon discovering that Humberside Police worked with a documentary production team while simultaneously instructing families to maintain media silence ahead of the trial. The controversy centres on Legacy Independent Funeral Services in Hull, where 48-year-old Bush admitted to stockpiling bodies and now faces imprisonment.
Families Discover Documentary Collaboration Months After Being Told to Stay Quiet
Fuming relatives, including Claire Stockdale, 47, whose grandmother Jessie Stockdale's body was discovered among 31 corpses at the funeral home, learned in December 2025 about police collaboration with London-based Brinkworth Productions. This revelation came months after authorities repeatedly urged families to refrain from speaking to media to avoid prejudicing the court case. Claire, who attended Hull Crown Court to witness Bush plead guilty, described the situation as "a terrible double standard."
"They told us to say nothing to protect the court case," Claire stated. "But all along they were working with this documentary team." Her grandmother Jessie died in October 2023, with the family holding a funeral and receiving ashes, only to discover five months later that her body had been recovered by police, necessitating a second funeral.
Police Letter Highlights Contradictory Instructions
In a letter dated December 19th, Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Alan Curtis explicitly requested families "refrain from posting online or engaging with the media whilst the case is still live." He emphasized this was to ensure investigation integrity and a fair trial. However, the same letter confirmed documentary filming had commenced in November 2025, with "a number of officers" participating.
The police explained that Brinkworth Productions, known for programmes like 'Chloe Madeley: A Family Affair' and 'Police: Hour of Duty,' was selected after a formal process following Bush's charging in April 2025. Authorities stressed the production company was not engaging with families involved in the criminal trial, but rather aimed to document the investigation "sensitively" and "respectfully."
Victims Describe Emotional Toll and Perceived Injustice
Michaela Baldwin, 35, whose stepfather Danny Middleton was among the victims, expressed deep frustration, stating families had endured "hell" for two years. "It's like a two tier system," she said. "We were told not to speak to the media while they were. We were keeping quiet and they were running off talking to the documentary team. It's horrible."
Karen Dry, who organized vigils for bereaved families, called the situation "unfair" and questioned the consistency of police messaging. "They were telling the families not to speak as you might compromise the case while they were being followed round by documentary makers, which one is it?" she asked. "Had it been a level playing field everyone would have had the same access."
Police Defend Documentary Collaboration as Educational Tool
Humberside Police issued a statement defending their cooperation with Brinkworth Productions, noting they regularly work with television companies to demonstrate police work to the public. The force emphasized no profit was being made from the production and expressed hope the documentary would provide insight into the investigation's complexity and the hard work of officers seeking justice for victims.
Despite these explanations, affected families remain deeply hurt by what they perceive as hypocrisy, with Claire Stockdale summarizing the sentiment: "Nothing surprises me any more. The police stopped talking to us directly a while ago and now just send text messages. It's disgraceful really, but not at all surprising." The documentary is expected to air following the conclusion of legal proceedings, with Bush scheduled for sentencing in July.
