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Behind the Story: Failures in the Katie Simpson investigation

An independent review commissioned by the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland found '"institutional misogyny" contributed to "clear warnings signs" being missed in the initial police investigation into the death of Katie Simpson.

The review led by Dr Jan Melia found that "not one officer thought seriously about abuse/control" in the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) investigation in 2020.

It cited "systematic failures" and also criticised other bodies - including social services and the health service - over safeguarding, as well as within the equestrian sector.

Tanya Fowles, a journalist, has said she "won't be finished" until all the answers are there in relation to the death of Katie Simpson.

The 21-year-old showjumper from Co Armagh died in hospital almost a week after being admitted.

Police initially treated her death as a suicide.

File photo dated 12/11/24 of a family handout photo issued by KRW Law of Katie Simpson
A family handout photo of Katie Simpson issued by KRW Law

Seven months later, Jonathan Creswell - the partner of Ms Simpson's sister - was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Creswell took his own life following the first day of proceedings at his trial in April 2024.

Ms Fowles, who knew Katie through her friend, told RTÉ's Behind the Story she had concerns about Creswell, after covering previous court cases involving him and abuse of a former girlfriend.

She said the moment she heard Creswell had raised the alarm about Katie’s injuries, she became suspicious.

"I phoned the police every day," she said.

"As each day went in, I was really starting to get on their nerves."

‘It just hit home’

Ms Fowles said the opening of Creswell’s trial was something she had never heard before.

"We had a mini-evidence disclosure in one day – we had the trial in one day without any witnesses called," she explained.

"Creswell began the day quite puffed up [with his] chest out, but as that day drifted on he began to get shrinking down in the dock.

"When he heard that evidence, I think it just hit home [for Creswell]."

Ms Fowles said even at that point, Creswell would not give up control.

"He still retained that control because he decided the trial would end without any explanation, any disclosure about what he did.

"He just couldn’t be challenged."

Ms Fowles said there are more questions to be answered about who knew what and when.


You can listen to Behind the Story on the RTÉ Radio Player.

You can also find episodes on Apple here, or on Spotify here.