The Babes in the Wood Murders: | Part 1 with author Jean Ritchie

In October 1986, nine-year-old best friends Karen Hadaway and Nicola Fellows disappeared after going out to play near their homes on the Moulsecoomb estate in Brighton. The following afternoon, their bodies were discovered in Wild Park. The case became known across Britain as the Babes in the Wood murders — one of the most notorious and heartbreaking cases in British true crime history. In Part 1 of this two-part True Criminals special, Martin Brunt and Helen Fospero are joined by journalist and author Jean Ritchie, co-author of My Girl: The Babes in the Woods Murders — A Mother's Fight for Justice with Karen's mother, Michelle Hadaway. We examine the disappearance and murders of Karen Hadaway and Nicola Fellows, the original police investigation, the search of Wild Park and why suspicion fell on Russell Bishop. We also explore the crucial evidence surrounding the blue Pinto sweatshirt, the weaknesses in the prosecution case and Bishop's 1987 acquittal at Lewes Crown Court. Jean reveals the devastating human story behind the headlines: Michelle's desperate search for her daughter while seven months pregnant, the impact of Bishop's acquittal, the false suspicions that later surrounded Nicola's father Barry Fellows, and the extraordinary emotional toll the case took on both families. For more than three decades, Karen and Nicola's families waited for justice. This is the story of two little girls, two grieving families and a murder case that would haunt Brighton for 31 years. SPECIAL GUEST: JEAN RITCHIE READ THE BOOK My Girl: The Babes in the Woods Murders — A Mother's Fight for Justice by Michelle Hadaway with Jean Ritchie. https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/454786/my-girl-by-hadaway-michelle/9781804943526 SUPPORT TRUE CRIMINALS Listen ad free and access bonus content and our full catalogue on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/truecriminals As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE FOLLOW TRUE CRIMINALS Instagram: @true.criminals TikTok: @truecriminalspodcast FOLLOW MARTIN BRUNT Twitter/X: @skymartinbrunt Discover more about Martin's career and the cases he has covered in his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter. Buy Martin's book: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY FOLLOW HELEN FOSPERO Instagram: @helenfospero Listen to Helen's podcast, The Convex Conversation: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575 PRODUCTION CREDITS True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Website: https://www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Audio Production: BLEACHED Music Composition: BLEACHED Artwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices