Katie Simpson Trust is set up as ‘a beacon of support and accountability for other families'

Belfast Telegraph

5 days ago

Katie, from Tynan in Co Armagh, was killed by her sister's partner, Jonathan Creswell, who had been abusing her from a young age. However, police initially treated the murder as suicide.
The Katie Simpson Trust says it 'stands not only in Katie's memory but as a beacon of support and accountability for other Irish families... The Trust is committed to providing training and raising awareness around investigative standards, victim support, and justice.
'It will work tirelessly to ensure that no family is left without answers or a voice. The trust has been launched to provide critical support to families who have lost a loved one in circumstances initially treated as suicide, accident or disappearance but where questions remain.'
Meanwhile, a TV documentary about the murder, called Death of a Showjumper, has been postponed due to concerns the family had about aspects of the programme.
It had been due to start on Wednesday on Sky and streaming service Now.
Members of the Simpson family, along with their solicitor, Kevin Winters, of KRW Law, met with the production company and the issues are thought to have been resolved, with the documentary to be shown at a future date.
The production company has been contacted for comment.
Creswell had raped and beaten Katie overnight on August 3, 2020. He then made a 999 call, but put her semi-naked body in a car and started driving her to Altnagelvin Area Hospital.
En route, Katie was transferred to an ambulance and Creswell, who was driving Katie's car, told paramedics and the two police officers that she had attempted to take her own life.
Police were also told by Creswell that Katie, who was covered in bruises, had recently fallen from a horse.
The talented showjumper died in hospital, without regaining consciousness, on August 10, 2020, aged 21.
A Police Ombudsman probe concluded that the police investigation was hindered by the 'misleading working assumption' adopted by a number of officers that Katie's injuries were self-inflicted.
Following the Ombudsman's report, Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck apologised to the family and admitted there were 'shortcomings in various stages of the investigation'.
'It is clear that we were not rigorous enough in our pursuit of all potential lines of enquiry and did not act quickly enough in responding to some of the concerns that were raised around Katie's death,' he said.
The Katie Simpson Trust, which will be launched on Friday, is being headed up by retired PSNI detective sergeant James Brannigan, who also worked on the investigation into the murder of Charlotte Murray, whose body has never been found.
Ms Murray went missing in 2012 and her partner, Johnny Miller, was convicted in 2019 of her murder, making legal history as the first conviction of its kind in the absence of a body.
Mr Brannigan says he is currently working with two other families who also have unanswered questions about their loved ones' deaths.
'What abusers do is isolate their victim from friends and family. Loved ones come together at a funeral and it is often only then that they think: 'This is not right.' But at that point it is very difficult to get a police investigation opened,' he said.
'If it turns out that a loved one has died at their own hand, as sad as that is, at least if the questions are answered it can give the family some closure.'
The trust has said that it is already looking at two other cases, using specialist officers with 'expertise tailored to each'.
It says its 'mission is simple: to bring peace of mind, clarity and, when needed, justice, by listening to families in their darkest hour'.
Mr Brannigan added: 'As awful as he was, Jonathan Creswell is not a unique character. There are others out there like him.'
Based in Northern Ireland, The Katie Trust says it will support families across the island of Ireland and beyond, offering training and guidance to police services to improve investigative standards and response.
Mr Brannigan said: 'I believe there has been a growth in hidden homicides, and I'm aware police don't like that term.
'I know we will be inundated at the start and it is daunting work, but it needs to be done.
'It is not going to be easy, but there is a need for it when it comes to seeking answers, and we hope the charity fills that gap.'