David Fuller (born 4 September 1954) is an English convicted murderer and necrophile.[1]
David Fuller | |
|---|---|
| Born | 4 September 1954 |
| Occupation | Hospital electrician (supervisor) |
| Known for | The Bedsit Murders |
| Criminal status | Convicted |
| Conviction(s) | Whole life order |
| Criminal charge | Murder, necrophilia |
| Penalty | Life imprisonment |
| Details | |
| Date | 15 December 2021 |
Date apprehended | 2020 |
| Imprisoned at | HMP Frankland |
In 2021, he was convicted of the murders of Wendy Knell, 25, and Caroline Pierce, 20, whom he strangled and sexually assaulted after breaking into their homes, months apart in 1987, in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, in what became known as the Bedsit murders.[2][1] The killer's DNA had been known since a cold case review in 2007, and analysis of the samples in the two cases would later prove that the murders were committed by the same unidentified perpetrator.[3][4] Fuller was eventually identified as the perpetrator in 2020 when a match was made between his DNA and the samples from the case.[4] When finally apprehended Fuller also received 12 years for mortuary offences, having recorded himself abusing the bodies of more than 100 female corpses, over the course of his employment as an electrician at the Kent and Sussex Hospital, also in Tunbridge Wells, and the Tunbridge Wells Hospital in nearby Pembury which replaced it.[1]
He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a whole life order on 15 December 2021, meaning that he will serve his life sentence without the possibility of parole.[1][5][6]
In October 2021, Fuller was charged with an additional 16 offences committed at mortuaries in the now-closed Kent and Sussex Hospital, and its successor, the Tunbridge Wells hospital at Pembury, between 2007 and 2020,[7] and pleaded guilty to the charges on 3 November 2022.[8] He is imprisoned at HMP Frankland, alongside other prisoners such as Wayne Couzens and Michael Stone.[9]
The David Fuller Inquiry
editIn November 2021 Sajid Javid announced that an independent inquiry would investigate how Fuller's crimes went unnoticed. The inquiry was formally set up in January 2022 with Sir Jonathan Michael chairing, and Rebecca Chaloner supporting as secretary.[10][11] The inquiry was split into two phases, with Phase 1 focusing on Fuller's offenses at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust. Phase 2 would focus on the entire NHS and what procedures could be put in place to protect the deceased in the future.[12]
The Phase 1 report was published on the 28th of November 2023, making 17 recommendations to prevent similar crimes happening again within the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Trust. Two hundred witnesses were interviewed or submitted written evidence.[13] It was found that Fuller regularly worked beyond his contracted hours, and undertook tasks that were unnecessary.[14]
Personal life
editFuller was married three times.
He was interested in birdwatching, cycling, live music and photography. He was an unofficial photographer for London rock band Cutting Crew and in 1985 accompanied them on tour with his second wife Sally.[15]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Hospital electrician convicted of cold-case double murder and 51 sexual offences". Crown Prosecution Service. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ "The double murderer who sexually abused the dead for decades". BBC News. 4 November 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
- ^ "DNA profile for cold case killer". BBC News. 20 August 2007. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ a b "David Fuller trial: Advances in DNA analysis caught women's killer". BBC News. 4 November 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ "Killer who abused mortuary bodies will die in jail". bbc.co.uk. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ "David Fuller: MPs call for public inquiry into mortuary abuse". www.bbc.co.uk. 5 November 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
- ^ "David Fuller: Double murderer charged with more mortuary abuse". bbc.co.uk. 4 October 2021. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
- ^ "David Fuller: Double murderer pleads guilty to more mortuary sexual abuse". bbc.co.uk. 3 November 2021. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
- ^ Axtell, Sean (25 May 2022). "Inside HMP Frankland where Wayne Couzens, David Fuller and Michael Stone are locked up". Retrieved 28 December 2022.
- ^ "The Inquiry Team – The Independent Inquiry into the issues raised by the David Fuller case". The Independent Inquiry into the issues raised by the David Fuller case. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ "David Fuller: Independent inquiry announced into mortuary abuse". BBC News. 8 November 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ "FAQs – The Independent Inquiry into the issues raised by the David Fuller case". The Independent Inquiry into the issues raised by the David Fuller case. 28 November 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ "Phase 1 – The Independent Inquiry into the issues raised by the David Fuller case". The Independent Inquiry into the issues raised by the David Fuller case. 28 November 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ Rawlinson, Kevin (28 November 2023). "NHS failings enabled necrophiliac murderer to offend for 15 years, inquiry finds". the Guardian. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ Kirk, Tristan (15 December 2021). "David Fuller: the story of the 'morgue monster' whose crimes repulsed". 'Evening Standard. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
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