Is a UK Serial Killer Hiding in Plain Sight?

The Waterway Murders

As a true crime writer, I find myself subscribed to a plethora of crime reports and news outlets. It was through these that I started noticing a chilling connection: several women had been found dead in local waterways across the UK.

None of these deaths was immediately classed as suicide; rather, the majority were tragically labelled as accidents. Accidents near water are common, of course, but on further research, these incidents appear to be alarmingly common among women of similar ages.

Which leads me to question: Is there a serial killer operating in the UK that no one is talking about?

A Disturbing Pattern

From January 2022 to the present day, I have identified fourteen women whose bodies have been found in local waterways. The number may be higher, as not all missing people may have someone to report their disappearance, and conversely, it may be lower if some of these were genuine accidents.

However, the numbers are alarming enough to warrant further investigation. The evidence takes another disturbing turn when looking at the demographic: the women are mainly in their 30s and 40s. While some fall outside this range, most of the victims fit this age profile. There is also the eerie fact that a number of the women have been found with their possessions lying nearby. This is counterintuitive for both accident and suicide, suggesting a deliberate staging of the scene.

Nicola Bulley, whose tragic case sparked a media sensation in the UK, is among these names. As reported heavily by the media, her possessions and even her dog were found near the river where it was presumed she had entered the water.

Full List of Victims (January 2022 - Present)

Accidents vs. Suspicion

For the majority of these cases, the police have investigated and the deaths have been labelled an accident, misadventure, or not suspicious. This is the official line that seemingly closes the door on foul play.

However, three recent cases are being treated differently:

• Katherine Corrie, who was found in January 2024 in the River Nene, has her death treated as suspicious by the police.

• Laura Stanley, found in the River Mersey three months later, is being treated as a murder victim by the police.

• The most recent case raising questions is that of Corinna Baker, who was found last month in the River Teifi. This case is also currently under investigation.

Many of the other women have no cause of death, and for some of the more recent cases, we are awaiting inquest results for any further information.

The Water Connection

One of the most striking factors in this case appears to be that all these women were found in waterways. I decided to carefully plot the locations of these deaths on a map of the UK.

This is where the connection stops being tenuous. For those who do not live in the UK, these locations are no more than 300 miles apart. The deaths form a discernible pattern, with the majority clustered around the Lake District and the country’s central river network.

Do We Have a Serial Killer in the UK?

Looking at the evidence of the map and the names listed above, I cannot conclusively say we have a serial killer in the UK, who could? However, I do think there is enough evidence that these cases require far more investigation.

In my opinion, Margaret Tyskkow can potentially be ruled out as a possible victim; at 68, her age significantly deviates from the 30s-40s demographic, and her death in Scotland seems geographically isolated from the main northern/central cluster. It has also been suggested that this poor woman may have been in debt, which was the reason for her death.

I do not believe we can say the same about the other victims. The connections exist and they need to be looked at closely. The question remains: Are we looking at a series of tragic accidents, or a predator exploiting the public’s reluctance to see a pattern in the water?

So what is your opinion? Do you think the UK has a serial killer, killing women by throwing them into bodies of water? Let me know in the comments.

Until next Wednesday: Stay safe, stay curious.