Latest news with #EmmaChilderley
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Daily Mail
My father was bludgeoned to death in bed in a random attack as I slept blissfully unaware just feet away - now I'm hoping to finally track down his killer
A woman whose father was brutally bludgeoned to death while he slept just feet away from his family has revealed her agony as she's still without answers 35 years on. As a little girl, Emma Childerley was terrified by the fitted wardrobes in her bedroom. But, while most children fear monsters lurking inside cupboards, she visualised a killer. Emma was too afraid even to flush the toilet at night - in case she alerted a murderer. Aged five, she was asleep in the next bedroom when her parents, Kevin and Denise, were brutally bludgeoned in their beds with what's believed to be an axe or a cleaver. Kevin, aged 30, died at the scene in Nottinghamshire in February 1990. And though Denise, then 32, miraculously survived, she was horrifically hurt and left with life-changing injuries - so much so that Emma didn't recognise her. The killer has never been caught and Emma, 40, is now appealing for someone to come forward with the information necessary to deliver the justice her family needs. In April, police officers arrested a 62-year-old woman on suspicion of perverting the course of justice, who has since been bailed pending further investigations. Mother-of-three Emma, based in Blackburn, Lancashire said: 'I was a "daddy's girl", we were so close, and his murder tore our family apart. 'We were robbed of a lifetime of memories, and instead I had a childhood filled with pain and fear. I missed him so much. 'Because Dad's killer was never caught, I became terrified that the murderer was hiding in my built in bedroom wardrobes, or in the garage outside. 'Mum was so badly injured that I didn't even recognise her when she came out of hospital. 'Those months afterwards were hard, and though we've moved on with our lives, the pain never goes away. I think of my Dad every day. 'I'd ask anyone with information to please speak out. I need justice and closure, for Dad and for me.' The attacks took place on what seemed to be a regular evening. Emma's parents had been out to a nearby social club and the babysitter slept over in her room. Her baby brother, just five months old, was in a cot in his parents' bedroom. She recalled: 'I was woken in the night by a police officer waking me and telling me to get dressed, and not to switch on the light or open the bedroom door until he told me to. I did as he said, without questioning. 'I was taken to a neighbour's overnight. The next morning, I went to a police station for my fingerprints and hair samples to be taken, and later I was placed in a foster home. A social worker told me Mum had broken both her legs and Dad was looking after her so I couldn't go back home. 'I was only five years old, and I accepted that. But I hated being in the foster home, I was away from my family, and I missed them so much.' It was several weeks before a social worker informed Emma that her father was dead and her mother was in hospital. Neighbours had alerted police on the night of the attack. Speaking about her reaction to the blow, she recalled: 'I locked myself in the bathroom and sobbed. I couldn't take it in.' Emma was then told her mother was out of hospital and coming to take her home. 'I was over the moon at first but the woman who arrived had a shaved head, an eye patch and scarring all across her face,' Emma explained. 'I screamed - I didn't recognise my own mother, she was so badly hurt. It wasn't until she spoke that I realised who she was.' The family moved house to try to escape the memories and rarely spoke of their trauma. Emma added: 'Nobody even told me dad had been murdered. But at school, the other kids would say: "We found your dad's head on the banking" and I would run up the banking, thinking it was true. 'I didn't want to ask Mum any details because I didn't want to upset her. I refused to go to Dad's funeral because I was in denial. 'I found a newspaper photo of a woman on life support, and I remember saying how poorly she looked. I didn't realise then it was a picture of my own mother. I was too young to be able to read the article.' The family moved home again, hoping for a fresh start. But aged 11, Emma came across newspaper cuttings which explained her father had been brutally murdered in a savage attack, with the motive unknown. Two men had been arrested at the time but the case against them was discontinued. Emma said: 'I was horrified, and frightened that the killer was still out there. I started to worry the killer was hiding in the built-in wardrobes around my bed. 'I convinced myself he was in the garage at the bottom of our garden. I wouldn't even flush the loo at night in case I alerted the murderer. 'I'd slept through the attack on my parents, and I was worried I might sleep through my own murder too. I became very anxious and defensive. 'If someone stared at Mum's injuries, I'd get annoyed and confront them, even though I was only a child. I had so much pent-up anger and grief.' Emma said she and her father Kevin were best friends and used to watch Top Of The Pops together and sing Madonna songs. She said Kevin, a miner, worked hard for the family and they'd play tricks on Denise to make her laugh. 'We were just a normal, happy family,' she reflected. 'Dad took me to school on his motorbike each morning. We both wore helmets, but he'd keep his on as he walked through the playground, so all my friends thought he was an astronaut, which I loved.' In 2022, Emma contacted the police and pleaded with them to review the case. Kevin's murder has now been reopened - and she's now appealing for information. She now runs KC funeral services in Darwen, Lancashire, named in memory of her father. She reflected: 'I always regretted not going to dad's funeral and I decided I wanted to give dignity to people in death. I named my firm after him because this is his legacy. He lives on through me, and my three children, who I know he'd be so proud of. 'It breaks my heart that they never met him. He'd have been a wonderful grandfather. The pain from the murder carries on, through the generations. I'd like people to think about that and, if they have information, please speak to the police. 'There will be no punishment for having waited so long, we will just be so grateful for any help you can give.' In an important recent development, Nottinghamshire police officers arrested a 62-year-old woman in April on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. She was interviewed by detectives and has since been bailed pending further investigations. Detective Chief Inspector Ruby Burrow, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: 'This was a savage attack which took the life of a much-loved father and left his wife with lifelong injuries. 'Throughout our investigations we have been determined to get justice for both victims in this case, as well as for their two children and the grandchildren who never got to meet their grandad. 'Kevin was a much-loved family man described as a 'joker' with a great sense of humour by those who knew him. 'The attack tore apart the family and robbed Kevin's children of a lifetime of memories. 'The case has never been closed, and a dedicated team of detectives has been reinvestigating what happened that night using the latest investigative tools and technology. 'Following recent developments we have visited the neighbourhood to engage with a number of people we believe could help with our inquiries. 'It was a very positive exercise and I'd like to thank people for their cooperation. 'The arrest is also an important development and we have shared the news with Denise and other family members. 'We know the answer to Kevin's murder lies within the community and we also believe allegiances and loyalties will have changed after the passing of more than three decades. 'I'd continue to encourage anyone with any information, no matter how small, to please continue to get in touch with our officers or anonymously through Crimestoppers.'
Scottish Sun
21-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
My dad was bludgeoned to death in bed in mystery random attack as I slept feet away – his killer was never caught
Emma Childerley was too afraid to even flush the loo at night in fear it might alert the killer 25 YEARS OF TERROR My dad was bludgeoned to death in bed in mystery random attack as I slept feet away – his killer was never caught Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LIKE many little girls, Emma Childerley had a fear of things that go bump in the night. However, it wasn't the bogeyman she was terrified of, but a real-life monster who had bludgeoned her parents in the room next door when she was just five - and never been caught. 9 Emma Childerley was just 5 when her dad & mum were brutally attacked in the next room 9 Dad Kevin died in the attack, carried out with an axe or cleaver, while mum Denise suffered terrible injuries Credit: Focus Features 9 Miraculously Denise survived but was left with life-changing injuries Credit: Focus Features 9 Emma is still haunted by the killer Credit: Focus Features Her father Kevin, aged 30, died at the scene in Nottinghamshire in February 1990, while her mother Denise, then 32, was horrifically injured in what is thought to be an attack with an axe or a cleaver. Incredibly, she survived but has been left with life-changing injuries. With the killer still on the loose, Emma, 40, is now appealing for someone to come forward with information that will lead to the justice her family needs. It comes as cops confirmed they had arrested a woman in connection with the case and stepped up their investigation. Mum of three, Emma, now living in Blackburn, Lancashire, says: 'I was a daddy's girl. We were so close, and his murder tore our family apart. Robbed of memories 'We were robbed of a lifetime of memories, and instead I had a childhood filled with pain and fear. I missed him so much. 'Because Dad's killer was never caught, I became terrified that the murderer was hiding in my built-in bedroom wardrobes, or in the garage outside. 'Mum was so badly injured that I didn't even recognise her when she came out of hospital. 'Those months afterwards were hard, and though we've moved on with our lives, the pain never goes away. I think of my Dad every day. The Killer Clown: Murder On The Doorstep, Sundance 'I need justice and closure, for Dad and for me.' Before the horrific events of that night, Emma says she and her father were 'best friends'. She says: 'I remember watching Top of the Pops with him, singing along to Madonna's 'True Blue'. 'He was a miner; he worked hard for his family. He was a joker too; we'd play tricks on my mum and make her laugh. 'Dad took me to school on his motorbike each morning. We both wore helmets, but he'd keep his on as he walked through the playground, so all my friends thought he was an astronaut, which I loved. Happy normal family 'We were just a normal, happy family.' The attack took place on what seemed to be a regular evening, on which Emma's parents had gone out to a nearby social club while a babysitter had stayed with Emma and her five-month-old baby brother. Her parents had come home and gone to bed before the attack took place and hearing the comotion, neighbours called the police. 9 Emily (pictured with her dad and brother at the age of five) says that growing up she was a 'daddy's girl' Credit: Focus Features 9 She has a tattoo in honour of her late father on her back Credit: Focus Features 9 She and her mum Denise, now 69, are still desperate for answers about what happened that night Credit: Focus Features She says: 'I was woken in the night by a police officer telling me to get dressed, and not to switch on the light or open the bedroom door until he told me to. 'I did as he said, without questioning. 'I was taken to a neighbour's overnight. The next morning, I went to a police station for my fingerprints and hair samples to be taken, and later I was placed in a foster home. 'A social worker told me Mum had broken both her legs and Dad was looking after her so I couldn't go back home. 'I was only five years old, and I accepted that. But I hated being in the foster home. I was away from my family, and I missed them so much.' It was several weeks before a social worker informed Emma that her father was dead and her mother was in hospital. I screamed; I didn't recognise my own mother, she was so badly hurt Emily Childerley She says: 'I locked myself in the bathroom and sobbed. I couldn't take it in.' Eventually Emma was then told her mother was out of hospital and coming to take her home. She says: 'I was over the moon at first but the woman who arrived had a shaved head, an eye patch and scarring all across her face. 'I screamed; I didn't recognise my own mother, she was so badly hurt. It wasn't until she spoke that I realised who she was.' The family moved house to try to escape the memories and rarely spoke of their trauma. Family secrets Emma says: 'Nobody even told me dad had been murdered. 'I didn't want to ask Mum any details because I didn't want to upset her - she didn't remember much and didn't want to talk about it. I refused to go to Dad's funeral because I was in denial. 'I found a newspaper photo of a woman on life support, and I remember saying how poorly she looked. I didn't realise then it was a picture of my own mother. 'I was too young to be able to read the article.' Who are the UK's worst serial killers? THE UK's most prolific serial killer was actually a doctor. Here's a rundown of the worst offenders in the UK. British GP Harold Shipman is one of the most prolific serial killers in recorded history. He was found guilty of murdering 15 patients in 2000, but the Shipman Inquiry examined his crimes and identified 218 victims, 80 per cent of whom were elderly women. After his death Jonathan Balls was accused of poisoning at least 22 people between 1824 and 1845. Mary Ann Cotton is suspected of murdering up to 21 people, including husbands, lovers and children. She is Britain's most prolific female serial killer. Her crimes were committed between 1852 and 1872, and she was hanged in March 1873. Amelia Sach and Annie Walters became known as the Finchley Baby Farmers after killing at least 20 babies between 1900 and 1902. The pair became the first women to be hanged at Holloway Prison on February 3, 1903. William Burke and William Hare killed 16 people and sold their bodies. Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe was found guilty in 1981 of murdering 13 women and attempting to kill seven others between 1975 and 1980. Dennis Nilsen was caged for life in 1983 after murdering up to 15 men when he picked them up from the streets. He was found guilty of six counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder and was sentenced to life in jail. Fred West was found guilty of killing 12 but it's believed he was responsible for many more deaths. The family moved home again, hoping for a fresh start. But aged 11, Emma came across newspaper cuttings that explained her father had been brutally murdered in a savage attack, with the motive unknown. Two men had been arrested at the time but the case against them was discontinued. Haunted childhood Emma says: 'I was horrified, and frightened that the killer was still out there. 'I wouldn't even flush the loo at night in case I alerted the murderer. 'I'd slept through the attack on my parents, and I was worried I might sleep through my own murder too. I became very anxious and defensive. 'If someone stared at Mum's injuries, I'd get annoyed and confront them, even though I was only a child. I had so much pent-up anger and grief.' The pain from the murder carries on, through the generations Emily Childerley In 2022, Emma contacted the police and pleaded with them to review the case. While Nottinghamshire Police say the case was never closed Emma says he hadn't heard anything in years. Kevin's murder case is now active and Emma is appealing for information. Cops have also urged anyone with information to come forward. They confirmed in April a 62-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and bailed after interview. Dad's legacy Emma now runs KC funeral services in Darwen, Lancashire, named in memory of her father. She says: 'I always regretted not going to dad's funeral and I decided I wanted to give dignity to people in death. 'I named my firm after him because this is his legacy. He lives on through me, and my three children, who I know he'd be so proud of. 'It breaks my heart that they never met him. He'd have been a wonderful grandfather. "The pain from the murder carries on, through the generations. I'd like people to think about that and, if they have information, please speak to the police. 'There will be no punishment for having waited so long, we will just be so grateful for any help you can give.' Detective Chief Inspector Ruby Burrow, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: 'This was a savage attack which took the life of a much-loved father and left his wife with lifelong injuries. 'Throughout our investigations we have been determined to get justice for both victims in this case, as well as for their two children and the grandchildren who never got to meet their grandad. 'Kevin was a much-loved family man described as a 'joker' with a great sense of humour by those who knew him. 'The attack tore apart the family and robbed Kevin's children of a lifetime of memories. 'The case has never been closed, and a dedicated team of detectives has been reinvestigating what happened that night using the latest investigative tools and technology. 'Following recent developments we have visited the neighbourhood to engage with a number of people we believe could help with our inquiries. 'It was a very positive exercise and I'd like to thank people for their cooperation. 'The arrest is also an important development and we have shared the news with Denise and other family members. 'We know the answer to Kevin's murder lies within the community and we also believe allegiances and loyalties will have changed after the passing of more than three decades. 'I'd continue to encourage anyone with any information, no matter how small, to please continue to get in touch with our officers or anonymously through Crimestoppers.' You can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 9 Emma's precious keepsake of her with her dad
The Sun
21-07-2025
- The Sun
My dad was bludgeoned to death in bed in mystery random attack as I slept feet away – his killer was never caught
LIKE many little girls, Emma Childerley had a fear of things that go bump in the night. However, it wasn't the bogeyman she was terrified of, but a real-life monster who had bludgeoned her parents in the room next door when she was just five - and never been caught. 9 9 9 Her father Kevin, aged 30, died at the scene in Nottinghamshire in February 1990, while her mother Denise, then 32, was horrifically injured in what is thought to be an attack with an axe or a cleaver. Incredibly, she survived but has been left with life-changing injuries. With the killer still on the loose, Emma, 40, is now appealing for someone to come forward with information that will lead to the justice her family needs. It comes as cops confirmed they had arrested a woman in connection with the case and stepped up their investigation. Mum of three, Emma, now living in Blackburn, Lancashire, says: 'I was a daddy's girl. We were so close, and his murder tore our family apart. Robbed of memories 'We were robbed of a lifetime of memories, and instead I had a childhood filled with pain and fear. I missed him so much. 'Because Dad's killer was never caught, I became terrified that the murderer was hiding in my built-in bedroom wardrobes, or in the garage outside. 'Mum was so badly injured that I didn't even recognise her when she came out of hospital. 'Those months afterwards were hard, and though we've moved on with our lives, the pain never goes away. I think of my Dad every day. 'I need justice and closure, for Dad and for me.' Before the horrific events of that night, Emma says she and her father were 'best friends'. She says: 'I remember watching Top of the Pops with him, singing along to Madonna's 'True Blue'. 'He was a miner; he worked hard for his family. He was a joker too; we'd play tricks on my mum and make her laugh. 'Dad took me to school on his motorbike each morning. We both wore helmets, but he'd keep his on as he walked through the playground, so all my friends thought he was an astronaut, which I loved. Happy normal family 'We were just a normal, happy family.' The attack took place on what seemed to be a regular evening, on which Emma's parents had gone out to a nearby social club while a babysitter had stayed with Emma and her five-month-old baby brother. Her parents had come home and gone to bed before the attack took place and hearing the comotion, neighbours called the police. 9 9 9 She says: 'I was woken in the night by a police officer telling me to get dressed, and not to switch on the light or open the bedroom door until he told me to. 'I did as he said, without questioning. 'I was taken to a neighbour's overnight. The next morning, I went to a police station for my fingerprints and hair samples to be taken, and later I was placed in a foster home. 'A social worker told me Mum had broken both her legs and Dad was looking after her so I couldn't go back home. 'I was only five years old, and I accepted that. But I hated being in the foster home. I was away from my family, and I missed them so much.' It was several weeks before a social worker informed Emma that her father was dead and her mother was in hospital. She says: 'I locked myself in the bathroom and sobbed. I couldn't take it in.' Eventually Emma was then told her mother was out of hospital and coming to take her home. She says: 'I was over the moon at first but the woman who arrived had a shaved head, an eye patch and scarring all across her face. 'I screamed; I didn't recognise my own mother, she was so badly hurt. It wasn't until she spoke that I realised who she was.' The family moved house to try to escape the memories and rarely spoke of their trauma. Family secrets Emma says: 'Nobody even told me dad had been murdered. 'I didn't want to ask Mum any details because I didn't want to upset her - she didn't remember much and didn't want to talk about it. I refused to go to Dad's funeral because I was in denial. 'I found a newspaper photo of a woman on life support, and I remember saying how poorly she looked. I didn't realise then it was a picture of my own mother. 'I was too young to be able to read the article.' Who are the UK's worst serial killers? THE UK's most prolific serial killer was actually a doctor. Here's a rundown of the worst offenders in the UK. British GP Harold Shipman is one of the most prolific serial killers in recorded history. He was found guilty of murdering 15 patients in 2000, but the Shipman Inquiry examined his crimes and identified 218 victims, 80 per cent of whom were elderly women. After his death Jonathan Balls was accused of poisoning at least 22 people between 1824 and 1845. Mary Ann Cotton is suspected of murdering up to 21 people, including husbands, lovers and children. She is Britain's most prolific female serial killer. Her crimes were committed between 1852 and 1872, and she was hanged in March 1873. Amelia Sach and Annie Walters became known as the Finchley Baby Farmers after killing at least 20 babies between 1900 and 1902. The pair became the first women to be hanged at Holloway Prison on February 3, 1903. William Burke and William Hare killed 16 people and sold their bodies. Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe was found guilty in 1981 of murdering 13 women and attempting to kill seven others between 1975 and 1980. Dennis Nilsen was caged for life in 1983 after murdering up to 15 men when he picked them up from the streets. He was found guilty of six counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder and was sentenced to life in jail. Fred West was found guilty of killing 12 but it's believed he was responsible for many more deaths. The family moved home again, hoping for a fresh start. But aged 11, Emma came across newspaper cuttings that explained her father had been brutally murdered in a savage attack, with the motive unknown. Two men had been arrested at the time but the case against them was discontinued. Haunted childhood Emma says: 'I was horrified, and frightened that the killer was still out there. 'I wouldn't even flush the loo at night in case I alerted the murderer. 'I'd slept through the attack on my parents, and I was worried I might sleep through my own murder too. I became very anxious and defensive. 'If someone stared at Mum's injuries, I'd get annoyed and confront them, even though I was only a child. I had so much pent-up anger and grief.' In 2022, Emma contacted the police and pleaded with them to review the case. While Nottinghamshire Police say the case was never closed Emma says he hadn't heard anything in years. Kevin's murder case is now active and Emma is appealing for information. Cops have also urged anyone with information to come forward. They confirmed in April a 62-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and bailed after interview. Dad's legacy Emma now runs KC funeral services in Darwen, Lancashire, named in memory of her father. She says: 'I always regretted not going to dad's funeral and I decided I wanted to give dignity to people in death. 'I named my firm after him because this is his legacy. He lives on through me, and my three children, who I know he'd be so proud of. 'It breaks my heart that they never met him. He'd have been a wonderful grandfather. "The pain from the murder carries on, through the generations. I'd like people to think about that and, if they have information, please speak to the police. 'There will be no punishment for having waited so long, we will just be so grateful for any help you can give.' Detective Chief Inspector Ruby Burrow, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: 'This was a savage attack which took the life of a much-loved father and left his wife with lifelong injuries. 'Throughout our investigations we have been determined to get justice for both victims in this case, as well as for their two children and the grandchildren who never got to meet their grandad. 'Kevin was a much-loved family man described as a 'joker' with a great sense of humour by those who knew him. 'The attack tore apart the family and robbed Kevin's children of a lifetime of memories. 'The case has never been closed, and a dedicated team of detectives has been reinvestigating what happened that night using the latest investigative tools and technology. 'Following recent developments we have visited the neighbourhood to engage with a number of people we believe could help with our inquiries. 'It was a very positive exercise and I'd like to thank people for their cooperation. 'The arrest is also an important development and we have shared the news with Denise and other family members. 'We know the answer to Kevin's murder lies within the community and we also believe allegiances and loyalties will have changed after the passing of more than three decades. 'I'd continue to encourage anyone with any information, no matter how small, to please continue to get in touch with our officers or anonymously through Crimestoppers.' You can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 9
BBC News
16-06-2025
- BBC News
Fresh appeal as arrest made in 1990 Mansfield Woodhouse murder probe
Police have issued a fresh appeal for information 35 years on from the murder of a man who was attacked in his Childerley and his wife Denise were asleep at their home in Sherwood Street, Mansfield Woodhouse, when they were attacked during the early hours of 19 February 1990, while their two children were also in the house died at the scene in Nottinghamshire, but despite being seriously hurt and requiring 160 stitches, Denise survived with lifelong the end of April a 62-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice in connection with the incident, following developments in the case. Nottinghamshire Police said she was interviewed by detectives and bailed pending further force said officers had also recently visited Mansfield to speak to potential witnesses as they continue to investigate the death of the former miner. Kevin and Denise's daughter Emma was five and asleep in bed nearby during the previously told the BBC the pain of that night had never left her and appealed for witnesses to come said: "I just plead and urge people who know something to come forward, even if it is the smallest piece of information, please let the police know." Nottinghamshire Police described the attack as "savage" and said it had "robbed Kevin's children of a lifetime of memories".Det Ch Insp Ruby Burrow said: "We know the answer to Kevin's murder lies within the community and we also believe allegiances and loyalties will have changed after the passing of more than three decades."I'd continue to encourage anyone with any information, no matter how small, to please continue to get in touch with our officers or anonymously through Crimestoppers."
