S11E08 | The Murder of Louise Sellars (Appley Bridge, Greater Manchester, 1995)

In this episode, I tell the story of Louise Sellars, a 15-year-old girl killed in Appley Bridge, Greater Manchester, on August 13, 1995.

That Sunday evening, Louise left her home to meet her friend Kelly Morrisey and spent a few hours with her before the two parted ways. The last time Louise was seen was at around 9:30 pm.

Her parents called the police after Louise failed to return home without letting them know where she was. A massive search was conducted in the hopes of finding her alive, but sadly, her body was found the following morning by a dog walker.

It would take five years before Louise's killer was brought to justice, thanks to advances in DNA technology. Ultimately, it was a discarded cigarette butt that led to the arrest and subsequent conviction of Darren Ashurst, who was 21 years old when he killed Louise.

A jury at Manchester Crown Court found Ashurst guilty of murder on November 1, 2000, with Mrs Justice Rafferty handing him a life sentence. He served 20 years in total and was released from prison in 2020.

Intro music:⁣

David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'⁣

linktr.ee/davidjohnbradymusic⁣

References:⁣

Andrew JS. (2018, November 20). Crimewatch UK — October 1995[Video]. YouTube. Retrieved November 12, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-gaY75Pois

Bunyan, N. (2000, November 2). DNA tests bring killer to justice after five years. The Telegraph. Retrieved November 12, 2023, from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1372791/DNA-tests-bring-killer-to-justice-after-five-years.html

Cigarette butt helps jail killer. (2000, November 1). BBC News. Retrieved November 12, 2023, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1002593.stm

Computer trap set for schoolgirl’s brutal killer. (1998, August 14). Manchester Evening News, 1.

Elias, R. (1999, June 29). Search is renewed to find clues to a killer. Liverpool Daily Post, 13.

Girl battered to death near lovers’ lane. (1995, August 14). The Independent. Retrieved November 12, 2023, from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/girl-battered-to-death-near-lovers-lane-1596270.html

Graham, C. (2019, May 23). Murdered Wigan teen’s mum pleads: “Do not let killer walk free.” Wigan Today. Retrieved November 12, 2023, from https://www.wigantoday.net/news/crime/murdered-wigan-teens-mum-pleads-do-not-let-killer-walk-free-971409

Humphreys, S. (1998, August 13). A killer we will catch vow cops. Skelmersdale Advertiser, 20.

Lorry driver denies schoolgirl murder. (2000, October 26). The Bolton News. Retrieved November 12, 2023, from https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/6060461.lorry-driver-denies-schoolgirl-murder/

Louise quiz for 500 households. (1999, August 13). The Bolton News. Retrieved November 12, 2023, from https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/6113699.louise-quiz-for-500-households/

Louise Sellars’ killer takes first steps towards freedom. (2017, December 11). Wigan Today. Retrieved November 12, 2023, from https://www.wigantoday.net/news/crime/louise-sellars-killer-takes-first-steps-towards-freedom-725332

McDonnell, S. (2021, October 11). How the gruesome murder of a teenage girl lay unsolved for years - until DNA evidence revealed the truth. Manchester Evening News. Retrieved November 12, 2023, from https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/louise-sellars-murder-darren-ashurst-21824000

Moore, P. (1997, August 24). IT’S AWFUL TO THINK I MAY KNOW HER KILLER. The Free Library. Retrieved November 12, 2023, from https://www.thefreelibrary.com/%60IT%27S+AWFUL+TO+THINK+I+MAY+KNOW+HER+KILLER%27+As+dusk+fell+over+a. . .-a061135140

Mott, A. (1999, July 5). Fragment of tooth may lead police to a killer. Manchester Evening News, 15.

Murder jury told of DNA test. (2000, October 13). The Bolton News. Retrieved November 12, 2023, from https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/6062431.murder-jury-told-of-dna-test/

Murder trial hears DNA evidence. (2000, October 12). BBC News. Retrieved November 12, 2023, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/969370.stm

Murdered girl’s friend speaks of his heartache. (1996, August 22). The Bolton News. Retrieved November 12, 2023, from https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/6198983.murdered-girls-friend-speaks-of-his-heartache/

Panter, S. (1999, June 28). New clue in hunt to find Louise’s killer four years on. Manchester Evening News, 2.

Qualtrough, S. (1999, August 29). Red rose clue to schoolgirl Louise’s killer. Sunday Mirror, 23.

Rohrer, F. (1999, August 30). Murder riddle of a single red rose. Liverpool Daily Post, 13.

Unstinting efforts to track Louise’s killer. (1999, August 13). Liverpool Daily Post, 14.

VILLAGERS’ FEAR: We must know the murderer.. it’s so horrifying. (1995, August 15). Daily Mirror, 4–5.