Case 99
Becky Watts
Case 99
Becky Watts
Major violent crimes are rare in Bristol, providing residents with the peace of mind that their community is safe and protected.
This communal sense of security was shaken in late February 2015, by a Facebook post originating from Bristol. The post featured an image of a teenage girl, with the accompanying text reading, quote:
“PLEASE SHARE. Missing 16-year-old girl. Please private message if you have seen her or know anything.”
Not long after, a second unsettling Facebook post was appearing across feeds. This one reading, quote:
“Please, if anyone has seen or heard from my daughter just let me know she is safe. She went missing on Thursday 19 February at 11.15am to meet her boyfriend and never arrived… She hasn’t been seen by any of her friends, police have started a search. I’m really scared now. I want her home.”
Within days, the original Facebook posts had been shared hundreds of times and the hashtag #FindBecky was trending on Twitter. Thousands of flyers were scattered throughout the streets of Bristol, featuring two candid photos of the missing teenage girl who was making waves across social media.
The flyer read:
“Help Us to Find Missing Rebecca Watts.
We are appealing for the public’s help to find missing teenager Rebecca Watts who has gone missing in the St George area of Bristol. She went missing from the Crown Hill area on the morning of Thursday, February 19. It is out of character for her not to contact someone if she is not returning home.
Rebecca is described as a white girl, aged 16, about 5 foot 4 inches of slim build with long reddish-brown hair. She may be wearing a blue puffer-style jacket.
We would like Rebecca or anyone who knows where she is to contact us to confirm she is alright.”
________
Our episodes deal with serious and often distressing incidents. If you feel at anytime you need support, please contact your local crisis centre. Some suggestions for confidential support for men, women and children:
AUSTRALIA:
Lifeline Crisis Support: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: Depression and anxiety support: 1300 22 46 36
Rape & Domestic Violence Services: 1800 737 732
Men's Line: 1300 78 99 78
Headspace: Youth Mental Health Foundation: see headspace.org.au for your local centre
USA:
Distress & Lifeline: 1800 273 8255
Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741
Domestic Violence Helpline: 1800 799 7233
Victim Connect: support for victims of crime: 855 484 2846
UK:
Mind: mental health support: 0300 123 3393
SANE: mental health support: 0300 304 7000
Samaritans support network: 116 123
National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300
CANADA:
For a list of Canadian crisis centres: https://thelifelinecanada.ca/help/call/
NEW ZEALAND:
Lifeline: 0800 543354
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (Text 4202)
CREDITS
NARRATION:
Episode narrated by the Anonymous Host
EPISODE:
Episode researched and written by Victoria Dieffenbacher
Additional writing and editing by Elsha McGill and Milly Raso
MUSIC:
‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro www.dl-sounds.com
All other music and audio clean up performed by Mike Migas and Andrew Joslyn
OTHER:
Logo design by Paulina Szymanska
RESOURCES
BOOKS:
Becky: The Heartbreaking Story of Becky Watts by Her Father Darren Galsworthy – Darren Galsworthy
MAPS:
Key locations in Becky Watts investigation
TIMELINE:
Becky Watts: timeline of the 16-year-old’s disappearance – The Guardian
VIDEOS:
Murder of Becky Watts: Police Tapes – ITV Documentary
ARTICLES:
Becky Watts: a shy girl who was growing in confidence – The Guardian
Becky Watts: Shauna Hoare charged with teenager’s murder – The Guardian
The last text message of Becky Watts – The Sun
Becky Watts was happy and relaxed in days before she was killed, jury told – The Guardian
Becky Watts trial: Photographs show cluttered scene of teenagers ‘murder’ – Independent
Becky Watts murder trial: How the crime that shocked the nation unfolded – Mirror
Becky Watts murder trial: Live updates from Day 6 as jury hear more prosecution evidence – Mirror
Becky Watts murder trial: Judge cries as Nathan Matthews is sentenced to life in prison – Independent
Becky Watts funeral: relatives pay tribute to ‘angel of Bristol’ – The Guardian
Becky Watts funeral ‘celebration of her life’ – BBC News
Becky Watts: case review finds eight services failed murdered teenager – The Guardian
Becky Watts’s body ‘was cut into eight parts and put in Asda carrier bags’ – The Independent
Self-confessed monster with a twister soul – Daily Mail
ADDITIONAL SOURCES:
Full transcript of Nathan Matthews confession – Mirror
Tribute to Becky Watts from her mum Tanya
THIS EPISODE’S SPONSORS
Scentbird – 50% off your first month with a promo code ‘casefile’
SimplySafe – Protect your home and your family today
Calm – Get 25% off Calm Premium subscription
Hostage – New podcast examining tactics used by the FBI’s crisis negotiation unit, world governments, and even hostage’s parents
Major violent crimes are rare in Bristol, providing residents with the peace of mind that their community is safe and protected.
This communal sense of security was shaken in late February 2015, by a Facebook post originating from Bristol. The post featured an image of a teenage girl, with the accompanying text reading, quote:
“PLEASE SHARE. Missing 16-year-old girl. Please private message if you have seen her or know anything.”
Not long after, a second unsettling Facebook post was appearing across feeds. This one reading, quote:
“Please, if anyone has seen or heard from my daughter just let me know she is safe. She went missing on Thursday 19 February at 11.15am to meet her boyfriend and never arrived… She hasn’t been seen by any of her friends, police have started a search. I’m really scared now. I want her home.”
Within days, the original Facebook posts had been shared hundreds of times and the hashtag #FindBecky was trending on Twitter. Thousands of flyers were scattered throughout the streets of Bristol, featuring two candid photos of the missing teenage girl who was making waves across social media.
The flyer read:
“Help Us to Find Missing Rebecca Watts.
We are appealing for the public’s help to find missing teenager Rebecca Watts who has gone missing in the St George area of Bristol. She went missing from the Crown Hill area on the morning of Thursday, February 19. It is out of character for her not to contact someone if she is not returning home.
Rebecca is described as a white girl, aged 16, about 5 foot 4 inches of slim build with long reddish-brown hair. She may be wearing a blue puffer-style jacket.
We would like Rebecca or anyone who knows where she is to contact us to confirm she is alright.”
______
Our episodes deal with serious and often distressing incidents. If you feel at anytime you need support, please contact your local crisis centre. Some suggestions for confidential support for men, women and children:
AUSTRALIA:
Lifeline Crisis Support: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: Depression and anxiety support: 1300 22 46 36
Rape & Domestic Violence Services: 1800 737 732
Men's Line: 1300 78 99 78
Headspace: Youth Mental Health Foundation: see headspace.org.au for your local centre
USA:
Distress & Lifeline: 1800 273 8255
Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741
Domestic Violence Helpline: 1800 799 7233
Victim Connect: support for victims of crime: 855 484 2846
UK:
Mind: mental health support: 0300 123 3393
SANE: mental health support: 0300 304 7000
Samaritans support network: 116 123
National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300
CANADA:
For a list of Canadian crisis centres: https://thelifelinecanada.ca/help/call
NEW ZEALAND:
Lifeline: 0800 543354
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (Text 4202)
CREDITS
NARRATION:
Episode narrated by the Anonymous Host
EPISODE:
Episode researched and written by Victoria Dieffenbacher
Additional writing and editing by Elsha McGill and Milly Raso
MUSIC:
‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro www.dl-sounds.com
All other music and audio clean up performed by Mike Migas and Andrew Joslyn
OTHER:
Logo design by Paulina Szymanska
RESOURCES
BOOKS:
Becky: The Heartbreaking Story of Becky Watts by Her Father Darren Galsworthy – Darren Galsworthy
MAPS:
Key locations in Becky Watts investigation
TIMELINE:
Becky Watts: timeline of the 16-year-old’s disappearance – The Guardian
VIDEOS:
Murder of Becky Watts: Police Tapes – ITV Documentary
ARTICLES:
Becky Watts: a shy girl who was growing in confidence – The Guardian
Becky Watts: Shauna Hoare charged with teenager’s murder – The Guardian
The last text message of Becky Watts – The Sun
Becky Watts was happy and relaxed in days before she was killed, jury told – The Guardian
Becky Watts trial: Photographs show cluttered scene of teenagers ‘murder’ – Independent
Becky Watts murder trial: How the crime that shocked the nation unfolded – Mirror
Becky Watts murder trial: Live updates from Day 6 as jury hear more prosecution evidence – Mirror
Becky Watts murder trial: Judge cries as Nathan Matthews is sentenced to life in prison – Independent
Becky Watts funeral: relatives pay tribute to ‘angel of Bristol’ – The Guardian
Becky Watts funeral ‘celebration of her life’ – BBC News
Becky Watts: case review finds eight services failed murdered teenager – The Guardian
Becky Watts’s body ‘was cut into eight parts and put in Asda carrier bags’ – The Independent
Self-confessed monster with a twister soul – Daily Mail
ADDITIONAL SOURCES:
Full transcript of Nathan Matthews confession – Mirror
Tribute to Becky Watts from her mum Tanya
THIS EPISODE’S SPONSORS
Scentbird – 50% off your first month with a promo code ‘casefile’
SimplySafe – Protect your home and your family today
Calm – Get 25% off Calm Premium subscription
Hostage – New podcast examining tactics used by the FBI’s crisis negotiation unit, world governments, and even hostage’s parents
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