S17E10 | Jenny Methven (Forteviot, Perth and Kinross, 2012)

In February 2012, the peaceful village of Forteviot in rural Perthshire was shattered by a brutal crime that defied comprehension.

80-year-old Jenny Methven was found dead in her cottage kitchen — the victim of a savage and deliberate attack that shocked even the most seasoned detectives.

As police searched for answers, suspicion crept closer to home. Beneath the surface of long-standing friendships and small-town familiarity lurked dark intentions, hidden debts, and a betrayal so personal it would leave a community reeling… and a family forever broken.

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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:
Bray, A. (2020, November 16). Killer bludgeoned pensioner to death before coffee with victim’s son. Metro. https://metro.co.uk/2020/11/16/killer-bludgeoned-pensioner-to-death-before-coffee-with-victims-son-13604021/
Buchan, J. (2020, November 9). ‘I just went to pieces’: Community relives nightmare of Perthshire murder for TV documentary. The Courier. https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/perth-kinross/1715647/i-just-went-to-pieces-community-relives-nightmare-of-perthshire-murder-for-tv-documentary/
Burns, J., & Moncur, J. (2012, August 21). Jenny Methven killer was driven by greed and undone by rampant ego. Daily Record. https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/jenny-methven-killer-driven-by-greed-1271729
David Methven denies offering William Kean hush money. (2012, August 9). BBC News. Retrieved May 6, 2025, from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-19193584
Death of Janet Methven in Forteviot treated as “suspicious.” (2012, February 21). BBC News. Retrieved May 6, 2025, from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-17109968
Handyman William Kean found guilty of the murder of Perthshire OAP Jenny Methven. (2012, August 20). Daily Record. https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/william-kean-guilty-of-jenny-methven-1270639
Jenny Methven accused found pensioner on the day she died. (2012, August 16). BBC News. Retrieved May 6, 2025, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-19284221
Jenny Methven accused’s wife tells of shock over detention. (2012, August 14). BBC News. Retrieved May 6, 2025, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-19258831
Jenny Methven murder “an act of betrayal.” (2012, August 20). BBC News. Retrieved May 6, 2025, from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-19318861
Jenny Methven murder: CCTV could be “vital” to inquiry. (2012, February 22). BBC News. Retrieved May 6, 2025, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-17125670
Jenny Methven murder: Crimestoppers offer £10,000 reward. (2012, February 29). BBC News. Retrieved May 6, 2025, from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-17203754
Jenny Methven murder inquiry force’s “biggest.” (2012, March 1). BBC News. Retrieved May 6, 2025, from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-17223040
Jenny Methven murder: Lorry drivers come forward. (2012, March 15). BBC News. Retrieved May 6, 2025, from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-17387955
Jenny Methven murder: Police quiz bus commuters. (2012, February 27). BBC News. Retrieved May 6, 2025, from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-17177894
Jenny Methven murder trial told accused attempted suicide. (2012, August 10). BBC News. Retrieved May 6, 2025, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-19208735
Jenny Methven murder: William Kean jailed for life after guilty verdict. (2012, August 20). BBC News. Retrieved May 6, 2025, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-19322364
Jenny Methven trial told William Kean’s car was seen heading to Forteviot. (2012, August 13). BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-19245112
Jenny Methven’s son tells trial how he found her body. (2012, August 8). BBC News. Retrieved May 6, 2025, from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-19179624
Life sentence for Jenny Methven’s killer. (2013, November 11). Daily Record. Retrieved May 6, 2025, from https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/life-sentence-jenny-methvens-killer-2728355
Man charged over Jenny Methven murder in Forteviot. (2012, March 29). BBC News. Retrieved May 6, 2025, from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-17557535
Man detained over Jenny Methven murder. (2012, March 28). BBC News. Retrieved May 6, 2025, from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-17534283
Man in court to face Jenny Methven murder charge. (2012, March 30). BBC News. Retrieved May 6, 2025, from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-17563560
Moncur, J. (2012, July 3). Villagers tell of their horror at “senseless” murder of Perthshire pensioner Jenny Methven. Daily Record. https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/villagers-tell-of-their-horror-at-senseless-murder-1117688
Mulholland, J., & Dalton, A. (2015, May 1). Son of murder victim Jenny Methven to donate £86k damages to charity. The Scotsman. https://www.scotsman.com/news/son-of-murder-victim-jenny-methven-to-donate-ps86k-damages-to-charity-1506115
Murdered Jenny Methven “heard vehicle in drive.” (2012, February 28). BBC News. Retrieved May 6, 2025, from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-17190656
Murdered woman Jenny Methven missed GP appointment. (2012, February 24). BBC News. Retrieved May 6, 2025, from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-17158621
Murderer sued by victim’s son is declared bankrupt. (2016, May 9). BBC News. Retrieved May 6, 2025, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-36246544
Three charges dropped against Methven murder accused. (2012, August 15). BBC News. Retrieved May 6, 2025, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-19270785
Update on Jenny Methven murder investigation. (2013, November 11). Daily Record. Retrieved May 6, 2025, from https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/update-jenny-methven-murder-investigation-2730912
William Kean denies murdering 80-year-old Jenny Methven. (2012, July 20). BBC News. Retrieved May 6, 2025, from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-18922830
William Kean lodges special defence in Jenny Methven trial. (2012, August 7). BBC News. Retrieved May 6, 2025, from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-19165939