Episode 547: The mysterious disappearance of Marion Barter
19 April 2024 - 41 minsWhen news editor Alison Sandy began investigating the sinister disappearance of Marion Barter for a podcast series she did not know where the story would take her.
The mother of two sold her home, quit her job and made plans to move to Europe, but when her family stopped hearing from her it was soon discovered that she had changed her name.
Working with the missing woman’s daughter Sally Leydon and journalist Bryan Seymour, the hit Australian podcast ‘The Lady Vanishes’ led to the mysterious case unravelling in real-time, as a listener found a key piece of information that would blow the case right open.
Clodagh Meaney speaks to Alison Sandy about the podcast and how the team managed to h...
Series Episodes
Episode 1331: Groomed (Part 8) - The Net Tightens
Detective Sergeant James Brannigan's new investigation team finally made progress by assembling expert evidence contradicting Jonathan Creswell's story, culminating in Brannigan's team arresting Creswell, and charging him with Katie's murder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
30 mins
2 January Finished
Episode 1330: Groomed (Part 7) - All The Signs Were There
After delays and months of inaction by the PSNI, Detective Sergeant James Brannigan finally begins the investigation into Katie Simpson's death, and starts to uncover Jonathan Creswell's lies about Katie's supposed suicide attempt. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
32 mins
1 January Finished
Episode 1329: Groomed (Part 6) - Mountains of Mistakes
After the tragic death of Katie Simpson, Detective Sergeant James Brannigan made aware of the case by journalist Tanya Fowles. Brannigan initiates an investigation into Katie Simpson's death after recognising the failure of the PSNI to flag Jonathan Creswell's prior domestic abuse conviction, or to look into his version of events on the night of Katie's murder. Creswell, and the people around him, have questions to answer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
28 mins
31 December 2025 Finished
Episode 1328: Groomed (Part 5) - Nightmares and Dreams
Katie Simpson, a talented and fearless young horsewoman is pulled into Jonathan Creswell’s orbit as a young child, suffering repeated physical and mental abuse at the hands of her sister's partner. By the time she turns 21, she is fighting to retain her independence. Her refusal to be cowed by Creswell's cruelty spurs his anger and control to new levels. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
29 mins
30 December 2025 Finished
Episode 1327: Groomed (Part 4) - Building the Cult
After a prison sentence for domestic abuse, Jonathan Creswell continues to establish a 'cult-like' unit of women around himself, using them for domestic, equestrian, and financial support while maintaining a public facade of charm for wealthy parents. The episode climaxes with Creswell moving his group, including pregnant Christina Simpson and young Katie Simpson, into his biological father Herbie Lusby's property in Donegal, where he continued his pattern of abuse, sexual harassment, and financial exploitation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
34 mins
29 December 2025 Finished
Episode 1326: Groomed (Part 3) - Golden Haired Boy
Episode three of Groomed examines origins of Jonathan Creswell, and the young woman who would become one of his primary victims: Christina Simpson. Creswell, the lovechild of a wealthy farmer and a teenager, was a "golden child" in the equestrian world, who began a relationship with 15-year-old Christina after joining Darton Ree Stables, pulling her, along with former girlfriend Jill Robinson, into his dangerous orbit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
32 mins
26 December 2025 Finished
