True crime anniversaries in July
Each month, we look back at the crime anniversaries of some of the most significant cases in recent history. Join us at Crime+Investigation as we explore the criminal history of July.
1st July: The abduction and murder of Sarah Payne (2000)
The abduction and murder of Sarah Payne was a high-profile case that took place in West Sussex in July 2000. Sarah’s disappearance and the investigation that followed was front-page news for its duration and led to significant campaigns for changes to the child protection legislation.
The murder was also recognised for its use of forensic evidence and the role it played in securing a conviction. Sarah went missing on 1st July, but her body was not found until 17th July, 15 miles from where she had disappeared. Roy Whiting, a known sex offender, was imprisoned for the abduction and murder of Sarah Payne.
2nd July: The murder of Alesha MacPhail (2018)
The horrific murder of Alesha MacPhail was made all the worse by the discovery it was carried out by a 16-year-old. Alesha was just six when she was taken from her bed and murdered by Aaron Campbell on the Isle of Bute.
Alesha was visiting her grandparents when Campbell snatched her from her bed in the middle of the night, raped and strangled her. Campbell tried to avoid imprisonment, but DNA and CCTV footage tied him to the crime. He was convicted of Alesha’s murder and handed a life sentence in March 2019.
4th July: The vanishing of Irene Silverman (1998)
On 4th July 1998, wealthy widow Irene Silverman disappeared from her Manhattan apartment after suspicious dealings with tenant Kenneth Kimes - who had recently moved in without identification and paid in cash. Her sudden vanishing sparked alarm.
This case unravelled into a full-blown criminal saga involving elaborate fraud, deceit and murder. Kenneth and his mother, the notorious Sante Kimes, were eventually convicted of Irene’s disappearance and other scams, though her body was never found. The trial revealed a chilling portrait of manipulation and greed, earning national attention and confirming their infamy as some of the most brazen criminals of their era.
7th July: The London Bombings (2005)
The 2005 London Bombings were one of the most significant terrorist attacks in the United Kingdom. The attack, also known as 7/7, combined four coordinated suicide bombings on public transport across London. The attack was carried out during rush hour to cause maximum damage and destruction. 52 people were killed and over 700 were injured in the attacks.
9th July: The crossbow killings in Bushey (2024)
On 9th July 2024, in Bushey, Hertfordshire, a grisly targeted attack left three female victims dead. Identified as 61-year-old Carol Hunt and her daughters, 28-year-old Hannah and 25-year-old Louise, the victims were murdered in their home, after being attacked with a crossbow.
The following day, police arrested 26-year-old Kyle Clifford, who had a brief military background and had been in a relationship with Louise, as the prime suspect. Authorities described the incident as ‘targeted’, ruling out a random act of violence, and confirmed their efforts to determine the full sequence of events.
12th July: The first Moors Murder (1963)
On 12th July 1963, Ian Brady and Myra Hindley carried out the first of their many murders. The Moors Murders began with the killing of Pauline Reade, with five other teenagers and children killed in the following years.
It began with Brady telling Hindley he wanted to commit the 'perfect murder'. Hindley then picked up 16-year-old Pauline in a van from the side of the road and took her to Saddleworth Moor where Brady met them. The murderers' accounts conflicted when it came to what Pauline was subjected to, and sadly, her murder was just the first in a line of depraved attacks carried out by the couple.
13th July: Rex Heuermann was arrested for the Gilgo Beach murders (2023)
After decades under suspicion, Manhattan architect Rex Heuermann was first arrested on 13th July 2023, as the prime suspect in the infamous Gilgo Beach murders – a series of unsolved killings of at least 11 women (mainly sex workers) whose bodies washed ashore in 2010 and 2011.
Heuermann reportedly lived a double life with an alleged ‘to-do’ list connected to the victims. His arrest came after DNA from a pizza crust matched hair found near one victim – a breakthrough in a chilling, long-cold case. The case still continues.
22nd July: The murder of Madison Wright (2022)
On 22nd July 2022, 30-year-old Madison Wright was found brutally murdered in Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea, Essex, eight days after her partner, 37-year-old Gary Bennett, reported her missing.
What began as a routine day – Madison out cleaning a client’s home – ended in tragedy. CCTV and ANPR footage showed her car travelling to Bennett’s address, and text messages revealed she had challenged him that morning, telling him, ‘You’re too controlling’ and that their relationship could no longer continue.
Police later discovered Madison’s body concealed under branches and shrubs, alongside a fence panel, in the park. Bennett was convicted of her murder after the court heard how he killed her, then sent misleading messages from her phone and pawned her necklace.
23rd July: The Petit family murders (2007)
On a quiet summer night in Cheshire, Connecticut, Dr. William Petit, his wife Jennifer, and daughters Hayley and Michaela were brutally attacked at home. Intruders Steven Hayes and Joshua Komisarjevsky forced the family inside, terrorised them for hours, and ultimately murdered Jennifer and Michaela.
Hayley also died of smoke inhalation after the house was set on fire. William survived despite life-threatening injuries and his unbreakable resolve earned nationwide admiration.
30th July: The murder of Sophie Hook (1995)
The murder of Sophie Hook was highly publicised and involved another instance of a perpetrator who had been involved in many previous attacks.
Sophie Hook was a seven-year-old girl murdered in Llandudno in Wales on 30th July 1995. She was visiting her uncle and camping in his garden when she was abducted. Her body was later found washed up on a nearby beach. The murderer, Howard Hughes, was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment in 1996. He had been arrested previously for attacks on children, but no prosecution ever took place.
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