"I've killed him": The Search for Oakley Barnett

"I've killed him": The Search for Oakley Barnett

In November 2024, social workers, police, and the family court system were all focused on one vulnerable 14 month old boy: Oakley Barnett. His mother, Emma Barnett, had already lost care of her previous children, and a final court decision was about to determine whether Oakley would also be removed from her custody. What happened over the next few hours would end in one of the most devastating child murder cases in recent UK history. As officers searched desperately for Emma and Oakley across Essex, helicopters circled overhead and concerns grew that something had gone terribly wrong. But the truth was far closer than anyone realised. Hidden inside a barricaded loft space, Emma and Oakley were waiting. When police finally located them shortly after midnight, a single sentence changed everything and triggered a frantic rescue attempt that came too late to save a little boy whose entire future should still have been ahead of him. In this episode of REDRUM True Crime, Grace examines the murder of Oakley Barnett, the warning signs leading up to the tragedy, the role of social services and family court proceedings, the evidence presented at trial, and the questions that remain about whether intervention can ever move quickly enough when a crisis unfolds behind closed doors. As officers listened outside that loft hatch, they still believed Oakley was alive. Then Emma spoke one sentence that would instantly transform a missing child investigation into something far more horrifying... Sign up for the free REDRUM newsletter, full of all things true crime, as well as a run down of all the latest REDRUM cases. This will only ever come to you once a month... I'm no fan of spam. ⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W79H87S) https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W79H87S⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/redrumtruecrime/) https://www.instagram.com/redrumtruecrime/⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.facebook.com/redrumtruecrime/) https://www.facebook.com/redrumtruecrime/⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠ (https://twitter.com/redrumtruecrime) https://twitter.com/redrumtruecrime⁠⁠⁠ You can email me: ⁠⁠⁠redrumtruecrimepodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ (mailto:redrumtruecrimepodcast@gmail.com) SHOP MERCH: ⁠⁠⁠redrumtruecrime.myshopify.com⁠⁠⁠ (https://redrumtruecrime.myshopify.com) Podcast versions of all episodes if you prefer to listen on the go: ⁠⁠⁠ (https://open.spotify.com/show/1FCoeRZQeDkEJ5i8bGuFpy?si=ec5c7c4c945c4952) https://open.spotify.com/show/1FCoeRZQeDkEJ5i8bGuFpy?si=ec5c7c4c945c4952⁠⁠⁠ Sources & Accuracy: Information in these videos is gathered from publicly available sources such as news reports, interviews, court documents, and online discussions. While I do my best to present accurate and up-to-date information, some details may be incomplete, outdated, or disputed. Statements made by individuals are presented as claims or allegations unless officially confirmed. Opinion & Commentary: All content is created for informational and commentary purposes. The views expressed are my own and should not be taken as fact. This content is not intended to harm, accuse, or misrepresent any individual or group. Viewers are encouraged to do their own research and form their own conclusions. No Professional Advice: Nothing in this content should be considered legal, professional, or expert advice. Duhh guys I'm no lawyer. Fair Use Notice: This content may include clips, images, or references used under fair use for commentary, criticism, and educational purposes. Liability: I make no guarantees about the completeness or accuracy of the information presented and accept no liability for any errors, omissions, or outcomes related to its use. All information is provided “as is,” and it is your responsibility to verify any details independently. If you're able, please support me on Patreon/buymeacoffee/YouTube membership to continue bringing REDRUM content to YouTube. Thanks, Grace x Patreon monthly subscription- ⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/redrumtruecrime⁠⁠⁠ (https://⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/redrumtruecrime⁠⁠⁠) A one off donation- ⁠⁠⁠www.buymeacoffee.com/redrumhumans⁠⁠⁠ (https://⁠⁠⁠www.buymeacoffee.com/redrumhumans⁠⁠⁠) Youtube monthly membership levels- ⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvGzDaluex7D_hPe7exgKhQ/join) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvGzDaluex7D_hPe7exgKhQ/join⁠⁠⁠ Thanks, Grace x See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Joyce Pelzer: The Secret That Unraveled Two Murders

In September 2011, 35 year old Shawndell McLeod vanished without a trace after ending a turbulent relationship with her ex-girlfriend, Joyce Pelzer. Friends and family knew something was wrong almost immediately. Shawndell was devoted to her children, close with her loved ones, and had been making plans for the future. Then, suddenly, she was gone. For years, investigators searched for answers, but with no body, no crime scene, and little physical evidence, the case slowly grew cold. Shawndell's family was left waiting, wondering whether they would ever learn what happened to her. Then, in 2018, another woman entered Joyce Pelzer's life. When Joyce's wife, Rosalyn Lewis, was found brutally stabbed to death in a Georgia motel room, detectives began unraveling a web of lies, manipulation, jealousy, and violence that stretched back more than a decade. What they discovered would breathe new life into Shawndell's disappearance and ultimately lead prosecutors to accuse Joyce of not one murder, but two. In this episode of REDRUM True Crime, Grace examines the shocking case of Joyce Pelzer, the disappearance of Shawndell McLeod, the murder of Rosalyn Lewis, and the investigation that prosecutors say exposed a killer who believed she had escaped justice forever. But even after a conviction, one haunting question remains unanswered. More than a decade later, Shawndell McLeod's body has never been found, and despite what a jury ultimately concluded, her family still does not know where she was left. Somewhere, the final piece of this story remains hidden, waiting to be discovered. Sign up for the free REDRUM newsletter, full of all things true crime, as well as a run down of all the latest REDRUM cases. This will only ever come to you once a month... I'm no fan of spam. ⁠⁠⁠ (⁠https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W79H87S)⁠ ⁠https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W79H87S⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠ (⁠https://www.instagram.com/redrumtruecrime/)⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/redrumtruecrime/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠ (⁠https://www.facebook.com/redrumtruecrime/)⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/redrumtruecrime/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠ (⁠https://twitter.com/redrumtruecrime)⁠ ⁠https://twitter.com/redrumtruecrime⁠⁠⁠⁠ SHOP MERCH: ⁠⁠⁠redrumtruecrime.myshopify.com⁠⁠⁠ (⁠https://redrumtruecrime.myshopify.com⁠) Podcast versions of all episodes if you prefer to listen on the go: ⁠⁠⁠ (⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1FCoeRZQeDkEJ5i8bGuFpy?si=ec5c7c4c945c4952)⁠ ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1FCoeRZQeDkEJ5i8bGuFpy?si=ec5c7c4c945c4952⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sources & Accuracy: Information in these videos is gathered from publicly available sources such as news reports, interviews, court documents, and online discussions. While I do my best to present accurate and up-to-date information, some details may be incomplete, outdated, or disputed. Statements made by individuals are presented as claims or allegations unless officially confirmed. Opinion & Commentary: All content is created for informational and commentary purposes. The views expressed are my own and should not be taken as fact. This content is not intended to harm, accuse, or misrepresent any individual or group. Viewers are encouraged to do their own research and form their own conclusions. No Professional Advice: Nothing in this content should be considered legal, professional, or expert advice. Duhh guys I'm no lawyer. Fair Use Notice: This content may include clips, images, or references used under fair use for commentary, criticism, and educational purposes. Liability: I make no guarantees about the completeness or accuracy of the information presented and accept no liability for any errors, omissions, or outcomes related to its use. All information is provided “as is,” and it is your responsibility to verify any details independently. If you're able, please support me on Patreon/buymeacoffee/YouTube membership to continue bringing REDRUM content to YouTube. Thanks, Grace x Patreon monthly subscription- ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/redrumtruecrime⁠⁠⁠⁠ (⁠https://⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/redrumtruecrime⁠⁠⁠)⁠ A one off donation- ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.buymeacoffee.com/redrumhumans⁠⁠⁠⁠ (⁠https://⁠⁠⁠www.buymeacoffee.com/redrumhumans⁠⁠⁠)⁠ Youtube monthly membership levels- ⁠⁠⁠ (⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvGzDaluex7D_hPe7exgKhQ/join)⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvGzDaluex7D_hPe7exgKhQ/join⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thanks, Grace x See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

“Because I Killed Him” | The Anne-Marie Burrowes Case

In October 2023, a woman repeatedly called 999 with a chilling confession: she said she had killed someone. But there was a problem. She wouldn’t say who the victim was. She wouldn’t reveal exactly where the murder had happened. And despite calling emergency services multiple times over a period of weeks, police were left trying to piece together fragments of a story that barely made sense. The woman was 52 year old Anne-Marie Burrows. At first, officers had no body, no confirmed crime scene, and no clear way of knowing whether the calls were genuine, intoxicated ramblings or the confession of a real killer. But when Anne-Marie finally phoned police again and revealed the name of the victim - 56 year old Royal Navy veteran Paul Knowles - investigators would uncover a scene so violent that even seasoned professionals struggled with the brutality of what had happened inside a flat in Peterborough. Paul had served more than two decades in the Royal Navy, including during the Gulf War. He was a father, a brother, and someone described by loved ones as dependable, kind and deeply loved. So how did a night spent drinking with someone he considered a friend end in tragedy? Anne-Marie claimed she acted in self-defence. She said fear, trauma and panic drove what happened next. But as forensic evidence emerged and the full extent of Paul’s injuries was revealed in court, prosecutors argued something very different. In this episode of REDRUM, Grace takes you through the disturbing timeline of repeated 999 calls, the police bodycam footage of Anne-Marie’s arrest, the courtroom evidence not widely reported online, and the devastating impact left behind for Paul Knowles’ family. Because what police eventually discovered inside that flat at Farriers Court raised one deeply unsettling question… If this was self-defence - why did the evidence tell such a different story? Sign up for the free REDRUM newsletter, full of all things true crime, as well as a run down of all the latest REDRUM cases. This will only ever come to you once a month... I'm no fan of spam. ⁠⁠⁠https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W79H87S⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W79H87S] Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/redrumtruecrime/⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/redrumtruecrime/] Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/redrumtruecrime/⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/redrumtruecrime/] Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/redrumtruecrime⁠⁠⁠ [https://twitter.com/redrumtruecrime] You can email me: ⁠⁠⁠redrumtruecrimepodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ [redrumtruecrimepodcast@gmail.com] SHOP MERCH: ⁠⁠⁠redrumtruecrime.myshopify.com⁠⁠⁠ [https://redrumtruecrime.myshopify.com] Podcast versions of all episodes if you prefer to listen on the go: ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1FCoeRZQeDkEJ5i8bGuFpy?si=ec5c7c4c945c4952⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/1FCoeRZQeDkEJ5i8bGuFpy?si=ec5c7c4c945c4952] Sources & Accuracy: Information in these videos is gathered from publicly available sources such as news reports, interviews, court documents, and online discussions. While I do my best to present accurate and up-to-date information, some details may be incomplete, outdated, or disputed. Statements made by individuals are presented as claims or allegations unless officially confirmed. Opinion & Commentary: All content is created for informational and commentary purposes. The views expressed are my own and should not be taken as fact. This content is not intended to harm, accuse, or misrepresent any individual or group. Viewers are encouraged to do their own research and form their own conclusions. No Professional Advice: Nothing in this content should be considered legal, professional, or expert advice. Duhh guys I'm no lawyer. Fair Use Notice: This content may include clips, images, or references used under fair use for commentary, criticism, and educational purposes. Liability: I make no guarantees about the completeness or accuracy of the information presented and accept no liability for any errors, omissions, or outcomes related to its use. All information is provided “as is,” and it is your responsibility to verify any details independently. If you're able, please support me on Patreon/buymeacoffee/YouTube membership to continue bringing REDRUM content to YouTube. Thanks, Grace x Patreon monthly subscription- ⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/redrumtruecrime⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/redrumtruecrime] A one off donation- ⁠⁠⁠www.buymeacoffee.com/redrumhumans⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/redrumhumans] Youtube monthly membership levels- ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvGzDaluex7D_hPe7exgKhQ/join⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvGzDaluex7D_hPe7exgKhQ/join] Thanks, Grace x See Privacy Policy at ⁠⁠⁠https://art19.com/privacy⁠⁠⁠ [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at ⁠⁠⁠https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

"The Gay Slayer" - Colin Ireland wanted to be a serial killer

In the spring and summer of 1993, fear quietly moved through London’s gay community - although, at first, hardly anyone realised a serial killer was already hunting in plain sight. He wasn’t lurking in alleyways. He wasn’t breaking into homes. Instead, he walked into pubs, struck up conversations, bought drinks, flirted, and blended in. Charming when he wanted to be, organised to an almost terrifying degree, he specifically targeted men who enjoyed BDSM and the passive role during sex, knowing they would initially trust him, believing they were stepping into a consensual encounter. But behind closed doors, what began as fantasy would turn into something unimaginably sinister. This week on REDRUM, I dive into one of Britain’s most disturbing yet lesser-known serial killers: Colin Ireland, later dubbed “The Gay Slayer” by the press. A man who made a chilling New Year’s resolution - to become a serial killer - and then methodically set out to achieve it. From the coded world of London’s 1990s gay scene and the now-infamous Coleherne Arms pub, to a deeply troubling investigation riddled with missed opportunities, assumptions, and devastating failures, this case raises uncomfortable questions about prejudice, vulnerability, and whether these murders could have been stopped sooner. Why were multiple deaths initially ruled accidental? How did a killer manage to evade capture while returning to the same hunting ground over and over again? And what happens when the person police are searching for starts calling them directly? This is a story of manipulation, control, hidden lives, and a predator who understood exactly how to weaponise trust. Stonewall: ⁠ [https://www.stonewall.org.uk/about-us/who-we-are]https://www.stonewall.org.uk/about-us/who-we-are⁠ [https://www.stonewall.org.uk/about-us/who-we-are⁠] Sign up for the free REDRUM newsletter, full of all things true crime, as well as a run down of all the latest REDRUM cases. This will only ever come to you once a month... I'm no fan of spam. ⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W79H87S]https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W79H87S⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W79H87S⁠⁠⁠] Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/redrumtruecrime/]https://www.instagram.com/redrumtruecrime/⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/redrumtruecrime/⁠⁠⁠] Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/redrumtruecrime/]https://www.facebook.com/redrumtruecrime/⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/redrumtruecrime/⁠⁠⁠] Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠ [https://twitter.com/redrumtruecrime]https://twitter.com/redrumtruecrime⁠⁠⁠ [https://twitter.com/redrumtruecrime⁠⁠⁠] You can email me: ⁠⁠⁠redrumtruecrimepodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ [redrumtruecrimepodcast@gmail.com] SHOP MERCH: ⁠⁠⁠redrumtruecrime.myshopify.com⁠⁠⁠ [https://redrumtruecrime.myshopify.com] Podcast versions of all episodes if you prefer to listen on the go: ⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/1FCoeRZQeDkEJ5i8bGuFpy?si=ec5c7c4c945c4952]https://open.spotify.com/show/1FCoeRZQeDkEJ5i8bGuFpy?si=ec5c7c4c945c4952⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/1FCoeRZQeDkEJ5i8bGuFpy?si=ec5c7c4c945c4952⁠⁠⁠] Sources & Accuracy: Information in these videos is gathered from publicly available sources such as news reports, interviews, court documents, and online discussions. While I do my best to present accurate and up-to-date information, some details may be incomplete, outdated, or disputed. Statements made by individuals are presented as claims or allegations unless officially confirmed. Opinion & Commentary: All content is created for informational and commentary purposes. The views expressed are my own and should not be taken as fact. This content is not intended to harm, accuse, or misrepresent any individual or group. Viewers are encouraged to do their own research and form their own conclusions. No Professional Advice: Nothing in this content should be considered legal, professional, or expert advice. Duhh guys I'm no lawyer. Fair Use Notice: This content may include clips, images, or references used under fair use for commentary, criticism, and educational purposes. Liability: I make no guarantees about the completeness or accuracy of the information presented and accept no liability for any errors, omissions, or outcomes related to its use. All information is provided “as is,” and it is your responsibility to verify any details independently. If you're able, please support me on Patreon/buymeacoffee/YouTube membership to continue bringing REDRUM content to YouTube. Thanks, Grace x Patreon monthly subscription- ⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/redrumtruecrime⁠⁠⁠ [https://⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/redrumtruecrime⁠⁠⁠] A one off donation- ⁠⁠⁠www.buymeacoffee.com/redrumhumans⁠⁠⁠ [https://⁠⁠⁠www.buymeacoffee.com/redrumhumans⁠⁠⁠] Youtube monthly membership levels- ⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvGzDaluex7D_hPe7exgKhQ/join]https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvGzDaluex7D_hPe7exgKhQ/join⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvGzDaluex7D_hPe7exgKhQ/join⁠⁠⁠] Thanks, Grace x See Privacy Policy at ⁠⁠⁠ [https://art19.com/privacy]https://art19.com/privacy⁠⁠⁠ [https://art19.com/privacy⁠⁠⁠] and California Privacy Notice at ⁠⁠⁠https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

The Disturbing Murder of Crystal McDowell

In August 2017, just hours before Hurricane Harvey unleashed devastation across Texas, 37 year old mother of 2 Crystal McDowell vanished without a trace. Crystal had everything to live for. A thriving real estate career, 2 children she adored, and a new relationship that friends said had brought happiness back into her life after divorce. The morning she disappeared, Crystal kissed her boyfriend goodbye and set off to pick up her children from her ex-husband’s house in Baytown, Texas. But she disappeared. As floodwaters swallowed roads and emergency services became overwhelmed, loved ones feared Crystal may have become trapped in the deadly storm. But when her abandoned black Mercedes was discovered outside a motel with the keys left behind and no sign of Crystal, investigators began to fear something far more sinister had happened. Sign up for the free REDRUM newsletter, full of all things true crime, as well as a run down of all the latest REDRUM cases. This will only ever come to you once a month... I'm no fan of spam. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W79H87S [https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W79H87S] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redrumtruecrime/ [https://www.instagram.com/redrumtruecrime/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redrumtruecrime/ [https://www.facebook.com/redrumtruecrime/] Twitter: https://twitter.com/redrumtruecrime [https://twitter.com/redrumtruecrime] You can email me: redrumtruecrimepodcast@gmail.com [redrumtruecrimepodcast@gmail.com] SHOP MERCH: redrumtruecrime.myshopify.com [https://redrumtruecrime.myshopify.com] Podcast versions of all episodes if you prefer to listen on the go: https://open.spotify.com/show/1FCoeRZQeDkEJ5i8bGuFpy?si=ec5c7c4c945c4952 [https://open.spotify.com/show/1FCoeRZQeDkEJ5i8bGuFpy?si=ec5c7c4c945c4952] Sources & Accuracy: Information in these videos is gathered from publicly available sources such as news reports, interviews, court documents, and online discussions. While I do my best to present accurate and up-to-date information, some details may be incomplete, outdated, or disputed. Statements made by individuals are presented as claims or allegations unless officially confirmed. Opinion & Commentary: All content is created for informational and commentary purposes. The views expressed are my own and should not be taken as fact. This content is not intended to harm, accuse, or misrepresent any individual or group. Viewers are encouraged to do their own research and form their own conclusions. No Professional Advice: Nothing in this content should be considered legal, professional, or expert advice. Duhh guys I'm no lawyer. Fair Use Notice: This content may include clips, images, or references used under fair use for commentary, criticism, and educational purposes. Liability: I make no guarantees about the completeness or accuracy of the information presented and accept no liability for any errors, omissions, or outcomes related to its use. All information is provided “as is,” and it is your responsibility to verify any details independently. If you're able, please support me on Patreon/buymeacoffee/YouTube membership to continue bringing REDRUM content to YouTube. Thanks, Grace x Patreon monthly subscription- www.patreon.com/redrumtruecrime [https://www.patreon.com/redrumtruecrime] A one off donation- www.buymeacoffee.com/redrumhumans [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/redrumhumans] Youtube monthly membership levels- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvGzDaluex7D_hPe7exgKhQ/join [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvGzDaluex7D_hPe7exgKhQ/join] Thanks, Grace x See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].