Case 330: David Birkett

Case 330 David Birkett

*** Content warnings: Animal cruelty ***

After respected dermatologist Dr David Birkett was found bludgeoned to death in his Middlesbrough home, police struggled to uncover a motive or identify a suspect for what appeared to be a targeted attack.

As the months passed by with no arrests, it began to look like the assailant had succeeded in his plan to pull off the perfect murder. But then the cracks began to show. 

Casefile Presents

Research & writing – Elsha McGill

Creative direction – Milly Raso

Narration – Anonymous Host

‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro – www.dl-sounds.com

Audio production – Mike Migas 

Scoring – Mike Migas 

Audio editing – Anthony Telfer

Logo and website design – Paulina Szymanska

Although Casefile episodes are free for all listeners, those who want to support us financially can do so by becoming a member of Patreon, Apple Premium or Spotify Premium. Paid subscribers receive access to exclusive content including behind-the-scenes discussions with the Casefile team, interviews, early releases and ad-free episodes.

• Join Apple Premium
• Join Spotify Premium
• Join Patreon

Approved Judgement of Reginald Zenshen

Middlesbrough doctor’s murderer must stay in jail – Teesside Live

Laura Birkett:’Is my father’s life worth nothing?‘ – The Telegraph 

Murderer’s ‘whole life’ sentence overturned – The Northern Echo

‘If he ever gets out, I am sure he will kill again’ – The Northern Echo

Evil killer who bludgeoned doctor to death will NOT be moved to open prison as Government rejects transfer – Teesside Live

Crimewatch Redux: The Murder of Doctor Birkett

Murdertown: Middlesbrough (S2 E3)

Doctor clubbed to death – The Northern Echo (Feb 6 1990)

City doctors’ murder grief – Evening Chronicle (Feb 5 1990)

Murder squad detectives question fans at match – The Journal (Feb 7 1990) 

Plastic bag clue found in search for a killer – The Northern Echo (Feb 8 1990) 

New lead in doctor murder hunt – The Northern Echo (Feb 9 1990) 

Theft theory in doctors murder – The Journal (Feb 10 1990) 

Wanted: man who killed for cash – The Northern Echo (Feb 10 1990) 

Police describe two in doctor murder hunt – Darlington and Stockton Times (Feb 10 1990) 

Hunt plea to church – The Northern Echo (Feb 13 1990)

Did doctor’s killer make 999 call? – The Northern Echo (Feb 15 1990) 

Killer is being shielded, says police – Darlington and Stockton Times (Feb 17 1990) 

Murder police seek motorist – The Journal (Feb 17 1990) 

‘Don’t hide my fathers murderer’ – The Northern Echo (Feb 22 1990) 

Cranks hit search for killer – The Northern Echo (March 1 1990) 

Murder witness saw man make mystery call – The Journal (March 8 1990)

Victim’s last tribute – The Northern Echo (March 10 1990)

Doctors funeral as murder hunt goes on – Darlington and Stockton Times (March 10 1990) 

Card clue may trap doctors murdered – The Journal (March 15 1990) 

Positive response in murder hunt – The Journal (March 24 1990) 

CID chief appeals for more support – The Northern Eco (April 4 1990) 

Hunt by post for clues to killing – The Journal (April 18 1990) 

Letter clue to death of Cleveland doctor – Darlington and Stockton Times (May 12 1990)

Skull mystery in murder hunt – The Northern Echo (May 16 1990)

Police in hunt for skull – Darlington and Stockton Times (May 19 1990)

Murder charge man attacks prison officer – Darlington and Stockton Times (July 14 1990) 

Police chief headed hit list – The Journal (July 26 1991)

‘He needs to be helped’ – The Journal (July 26 1991)

Tracked down by painstaking detective work – The Journal (July 26 1991)

Strategy worked out for ‘perfect killing’ – The Journal (July 26 1991)

Evil killer with a top police hit list – The Northern Echo (July 26 1991)

The post Case 330: David Birkett appeared first on Casefile: True Crime Podcast.