S18E02 | Catherine Wells-Burr (Ashill, Somerset, 2012)

In September 2012, the town of Chard in Somerset awoke to devastating news - a car had been found engulfed in flames by the side of the A358, with the body of a young woman inside.

23-year-old Catherine Wells-Burr had a bright future ahead of her. Intelligent, hard-working, and deeply loved by her family, her brutal murder shocked the local community.

As the investigation unfolded, police uncovered a disturbing plot driven by greed and betrayal. Catherine had been targeted not by a stranger, but by the one person she trusted the most.

What followed was a complex and chilling case involving deceit, manipulation, and a calculated plan to cash in on a life insurance policy that had only not long been taken out.

Join my Patreon community at patreon.com/britishmurders for exclusive perks, including early access to ad-free episodes, bonus episodes and content, exciting giveaways, and welcome goodies!

Follow me on social media:
Facebook | British Murders with Stuart Blues
Instagram | @britishmurders
TikTok | @britishmurders

Join the private Facebook group:
British Murders Podcast - Discussion Group

Intro music:⁣
David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'⁣
davidjohnbrady.com

Disclaimer:
The case discussed in this podcast episode is real and represents the worst day in many people's lives. I aim to cover such stories with a victim-focused approach, using information from publicly available sources. While I strive for accuracy, some details may vary depending on the sources used. You can find the sources for each episode on my website. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support.

References:
Catherine Wells-Burr: Council says it acted “sympathetically.” (2012, November 28). Chard and Ilminster News. https://www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk/news/10075994.catherine-wells-burr-council-says-it-acted-sympathetically/
Catherine Wells-Burr: Council says “sorry” to family. (2012, December 6). Chard and Ilminster News. https://www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk/news/10093894.catherine-wells-burr-council-says-sorry-to-family/
Catherine Wells-Burr “dead before Ilminster car fire.” (2012, September 19). BBC News. Retrieved May 20, 2025, from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-somerset-19652668
Catherine Wells-Burr death: Three “plotted body-in-car murder.” (2013, April 16). BBC News. Retrieved May 20, 2025, from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-somerset-22168360
Catherine Wells-Burr: Grief-stricken mum had to rifle through bin bags. (2012, November 28). Chard and Ilminster News. https://www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk/news/10073880.catherine-wells-burr-grief-stricken-mum-had-to-rifle-through-bin-bags/
Catherine Wells-Burr killer to appeal conviction. (2014, January 13). Chard and Ilminster News. https://www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk/news/10932924.catherine-wells-burr-killer-to-appeal-conviction/
Catherine Wells-Burr killers Rafal Nowak, Anna Lagwinowicz and Tadevsz Dmytryszyn given life sentences. (2013, June 10). Somerset County Gazette. https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/10473649.catherine-wells-burr-killers-rafal-nowak-anna-lagwinowicz-and-tadevsz-dmytryszyn-given-life-sentences/
Catherine Wells-Burr: Polish trio on trial. (2013, April 16). Sky News. Retrieved May 20, 2025, from https://news.sky.com/story/catherine-wells-burr-polish-trio-on-trial-10448562
Catherine Wells-Burr trial: Accused man’s “email” evidence. (2013, April 30). BBC News. Retrieved May 20, 2025, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-22356914
Catherine Wells-Burr’s boyfriend charged with conspiracy to murder. (2012, September 18). The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/sep/18/catherine-wells-burr-boyfriend-charged
Catherine Wells-Burr’s family speak of relief over Rafal Nowak, Anna Lagwinowicz and Tadeusz Dmytryszyn appeal verdict. (2016, November 16). Chard and Ilminster News. https://www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk/news/14906605.catherine-wells-burrs-family-speak-of-relief-over-rafal-nowak-anna-lagwinowicz-and-tadeusz-dmytryszyn-appeal-verdict/
Catherine Wells-Burr’s killers in Poland deportation appeal. (2018, February 23). BBC News. Retrieved May 20, 2025, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-43173213
Chard family welcome awards for police. (2014, January 14). Chard and Ilminster News. https://www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk/news/10935864.chard-family-welcome-awards-for-police/
Cheating factory worker ‘killed girlfriend with help of lover.’ (2013, April 16). The Times. https://www.thetimes.com/uk/law/article/cheating-factory-worker-killed-girlfriend-with-help-of-lover-v7qgbg98390
Criminal sentence -  Anna Julia Lagwinowicz - Bristol Crown Court - Mrs Justice Sharp. (2013, June 10). The Law Pages. Retrieved May 20, 2025, from https://www.thelawpages.com/court-cases/Anna-Julia-Lagwinowicz-11339-1.law
Criminal sentence -  Rafal Piotr Nowak - Bristol Crown Court - Mrs Justice Sharp. (2013, June 10). The Law Pages. Retrieved May 20, 2025, from https://www.thelawpages.com/court-cases/Rafal-Piotr-Nowak-11341-1.law
Criminal sentence -  Tadevsz Dmytryszyn - Bristol Crown Court - Mrs Justice Sharp. (2013, June 10). The Law Pages. Retrieved May 20, 2025, from https://www.thelawpages.com/court-cases/Tadevsz-Dmytryszyn-11340-1.law
De Bruxelles, S. (2013, April 17). Cheating factory worker ‘killed girlfriend with help of lover.’ The Times. https://www.thetimes.com/uk/law/article/cheating-factory-worker-killed-girlfriend-with-help-of-lover-v7qgbg98390
Decision to send home killer of Somerset woman Catherine Wells-Burr a “slap in the face” says family. (2015, August 5). Chard and Ilminster News. https://www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk/news/13572942.decision-to-send-home-killer-of-somerset-woman-catherine-wells-burr-a-slap-in-the-face-says-family/
Edwards, A., & Rush, J. (2013, June 8). Polish boyfriend facing trial for murder of British graduate girlfriend, 23, “was comforted by her parents on the day her body was found.” Mail Online. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2310428/Catherine-Wells-Burr-Polish-factory-worker-Rafal-Nowak-31-killed-British-girlfriend-suffocating-pillow-life-insurance-scam-court-told.html
Fireball car death: Woman arrested over murder of pretty university graduate whose body was found in blazing motor. (2012, September 14). Daily Mirror. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/catherine-wells-burr-murder-woman-arrested-1323881
Fletcher, D. (2013, June 8). Catherine Wells-Burr murder: Last CCTV image of graduate holding boyfriend’s hand hours before he murdered her. The Mirror. Retrieved May 20, 2025, from https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/catherine-wells-burr-murder-last-cctv-1939440
Funeral TODAY for Catherine. (2013, February 1). Chard and Ilminster News. https://www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk/news/10200520.funeral-today-for-catherine/
Hayhurst, C. (2013, June 7). Catherine Wells-Burr death: Polish trio found guilty of murder. The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/catherine-wellsburr-death-polish-trio-found-guilty-of-murder-8650158.html
•𝘓𝘰𝘴𝘰𝘴•TM. (2013, June 7). Sky News - Breaking News - Three Found Guilty Of Graduate’s Murder [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved May 20, 2025, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwhJiapCshM
Morris, S. (2013, June 7). How Catherine Wells-Burr became victim of cold-hearted killers. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2013/jun/07/catherine-wells-burr-victim-killers
Polish factory worker “hatched plot with jealous lover to kill British girlfriend.” (2013, April 16). The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2013/apr/16/polish-factory-worker-british-girlfriend
Rafal Nowak, 31, appears in court over Catherine Wells-Burr death. (2012, September 12). Chard and Ilminster News. https://www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk/news/9924128.rafal-nowak-31-appears-in-court-over-catherine-wells-burr-death/
Salkeld, L., Edwards, A., Hills, S., & Gayle, D. (2012, September 20). Boyfriend of graduate found dead in burning car is charged with conspiracy to murder her just hours after his ex-partner appeared in court to face same claims. Mail Online. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2204779/Catherine-Wells-Burr-Boyfriend-graduate-dead-car-charged-conspiracy-murder.html
Smith, R. (2013, April 16). Catherine Wells-Burr murder trial: Graduate “killed by cheating boyfriend so he could cash in on insurance.” Daily Mirror. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/catherine-wells-burr-murder-trial-graduate-1835607
Two people back in court over Catherine Wells-Burr murder. (2012, October 5). Chard and Ilminster News. https://www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk/news/9968967.two-people-back-in-court-over-catherine-wells-burr-murder/
Victim Support. (2013). Impact report. Retrieved May 20, 2025, from https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/documents/files/Impact%20report%202012-13.pdf
Wells-Burr family so grateful for support through online petition. (2014, January 22). Chard and Ilminster News. https://www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk/news/10954140.wells-burr-family-so-grateful-for-support-through-online-petition/
Wells-Burr family to fight killers’ bid to serve sentences in Poland. (2014, January 14). Chard and Ilminster News. https://www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk/news/10935778.wells-burr-family-to-fight-killers-bid-to-serve-sentences-in-poland/
Wells-Burr family urge people to sign e-petition against killers’ bid to serve sentences in Poland. (2014, January 16). Chard and Ilminster News. https://www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk/news/10942723.wells-burr-family-urge-people-to-sign-e-petition-against-killers-bid-to-serve-sentences-in-poland/
Woman Charged After Body Found In Burnt Car. (2012, September 17). Sky News. Retrieved May 20, 2025, from https://news.sky.com/story/woman-charged-after-body-found-in-burnt-car-10469753