S18E05 | Kirsty Tidman (Charlton, Southeast London, 1997)

In May 1997, a teenage girl vanished from her home in southeast London. She’d called her parents just an hour earlier. Then, nothing.

What followed was a desperate search, a sudden death and a trail of evidence that pointed to someone close to home - someone her family refused to believe could be responsible.

This is the story of Kirsty Tidman - a vibrant 14-year-old whose disappearance shook her community and whose case still leaves behind more questions than answers.

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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:
Abduction fears over missing girl. (1997, May 10). Shropshire Star, 5.
Death note. (1997, May 11). Scotland on Sunday, 2.
Dismembered girl probably strangled, inquest told. (1997, August 29). Birmingham Daily Post, 6.
Edwards, J. (1997a, May 10). MURDER RIDDLE OF MISSING KIRSTY, 14. Daily Mirror, 4.
Edwards, J. (1997b, May 14). KIRSTY FOUND BEHEADED IN THE THAMES. Daily Mirror, 11.
Edwards, J. (1997c, May 14). Teenage Kirsty’s torso found in river. Daily Record, 1–2.
Fears grow for Kirsty. (1997, May 9). Nottingham Evening Post, 8.
Fears over missing girl. (1997, May 9). Cambridge Daily News, 4.
Fleming, N. (1997, May 18). Cousin killed Kirsty then cut his throat. Sunday Express, 7.
Girl, 14, unlawfully killed - inquest. (1997, August 29). Aberdeen Press and Journal, 12.
Girl found dead. (1997, May 13). Grimsby Daily Telegraph, 39.
Government Digital Service. (2025, January 23). Being arrested: your rights. GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/arrested-your-rights/how-long-you-can-be-held-in-custody
Hendry, A. (1997, May 14). Missing Kirsty, 14 is found dead. Daily Express, 2.
“Innocent” cousin butchered Kirsty, say detectives. (1997, May 18). Sunday Mirror, 7.
Inquest of suspect. (1997, May 15). Shropshire Star, 4.
INQUEST OPENS. (1997, August 28). South Wales Echo, 4.
Kidnap fear for missing girl, 14. (1997, May 10). Birmingham Mail, 3.
Kirsty hunt goes on after grim find. (1997, May 14). West Lancashire Evening Gazette, 2.
Kirsty inquest opens. (1997, May 22). Scarborough Evening News, 4.
Kirsty “killed by cousin.” (1997, May 17). Birmingham Mail, 9.
Kirsty murder: Leg discovered on Thames foreshore. (1997, May 19). Aberdeen Press and Journal, 13.
Kirsty was killed by her cousin. (1997, May 18). Wales on Sunday, 7.
“Kirsty’s cousin innocent”: We know it in out hearts, say parents. (1997, May 13). Western Daily Press, 13.
LATE NEWS. (1997, May 22). Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 24.
Machete gang killer gets life. (1997, September 10). Daily Express, 20.
Missing girl: suicide by suspect. (1997, May 11). Birmingham Weekly Mercury, 2.
Missing girl’s body found in Thames. (1997, May 14). Birmingham Daily Post, 7.
Missing Kirsty’s cousin found dead. (1997, May 11). Wales on Sunday, 8.
Murdered schoolgirl “probably strangled.” (1997, August 28). Shropshire Star, 23.
New move in hunt for Kirsty. (1997, May 14). Hull Daily Mail, 2.
Parents’ abduction fears. (1997, May 10). The Scotsman, 2.
Parents clear Kirsty cousin. (1997, May 13). Daily Mirror, 9.
PARENTS PLEDGE SUPPORT IN MEMORY OF KIRSTY. (1998, May 9). News Shopper. https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/6509088.parents-pledge-support-in-memory-of-kirsty/
Police fears for missing girl. (1997, May 9). Hull Daily Mail, 2.
Police step up hunt for missing Kirsty. (1997, May 11). Sunday Mirror, 4.
Raif, S., & Hall, S. (1997, May 19). Gruesome find of leg at river in girl killing hunt. Belfast News-Letter, 3.
Sailors make gruesome find in Thames. (1997, May 15). Aberdeen Press and Journal, 17.
Stephens, A. (1997, May 12). Missing Kirsty feared murdered. Liverpool Daily Post, 8.
Suspect’s final plea. (1997, May 12). Birmingham Daily Post, 15.
Swift, G. (1997, May 11). Fear that drove missing Kirsty’s cousin to suicide. Sunday Express, 2.
Tearful farewell to Kirsty. (1997, July 4). Wolverhampton Express and Star, 5.
Twomey, J. (1997, May 9). Parents pray as kidnap fears grow for girl, 14. Daily Express, 6.
Uncle of dead girl cut own throat. (1997, August 21). Shropshire Star, 4.
Young friends mourn Kirsty. (1997, July 4). Shropshire Star, 28.