Wikipedia

Killamarsh murders

For the killings the same year in a similarly named town, see 2021 Kilmarnock incidents.

In the evening of 18 September 2021, Damien Bendall murdered his partner Terri Haris, her two children Lacey and John-Paul Bennet, as well as Lacey's friend Connie Gent at a residential property on Chandos Crescent in Killamarsh, Derbyshire, an outer suburb of Sheffield, South Yorkshire. He had also raped Lacey as she was dying.[1] After being arrested the next morning, Bendall was charged with four counts of murder and later rape of a girl under 13 in connection with the incident.[2][3][4] He pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to a whole-life prison term on 21 December 2022.[5]

Killamarsh murders
Tributes left at the police cordon on Chandos Crescent four days after the murders
Killamarsh murders is located in Sheffield
Killamarsh
Killamarsh
Killamarsh murders (Sheffield)
Killamarsh murders is located in the East Midlands
Killamarsh murders
Killamarsh murders (the East Midlands)
Killamarsh murders is located in the United Kingdom
Killamarsh murders
Killamarsh murders (the United Kingdom)
LocationChandos Crescent
Killamarsh, Derbyshire
(suburb of Sheffield, South Yorkshire)
Coordinates53°19′19″N 1°19′07″W / 53.321862°N 1.318482°W / 53.321862; -1.318482
Date18 September 2021 (2021-09-18)
Attack type
Mass murder, rape
Deaths4
Injured1 (the perpetrator)
Victims
  • John Paul Bennett (age 13)
  • Lacey Bennett (age 11)
  • Connie Gent (age 11)
  • Terri Harris (age 35)
PerpetratorsDamien Bendall
MotiveUnknown
VerdictPleaded guilty
Convictions
  • Murder (4 counts)
  • Rape of a child
JudgeMr Justice Sweeney

Overview

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Crime details

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Based on phone evidence, it is estimated that the murder spree had occurred shortly after 21:42 local time on 18 September 2021. According to prosecutors, at that time, the children were preparing to go to bed while Bendall was trying to contact his drug dealer for cocaine.

Bendall had killed his pregnant partner Terri Harris, her children Lacey and John-Paul Bennett, as well as Lacey's friend Connie Gent, who was staying there for a sleepover, by striking them with a claw hammer over their heads. He had also raped Lacey as she was dying from her head injuries.

After committing the murders, Bendall ordered a taxi, and went to Sheffield to exchange John's Xbox for drugs.[6]

Bendall's arrest

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Police officers from the Derbyshire Constabulary attended to reports of a disturbance at a residential property on Chandos Crescent, close to Killamarsh town centre, at 07:26 local time on 19 September 2021. Bendall had also called 999 himself, saying that he would need police and ambulance because he killed four people.

Arriving at the property at 07:39, officers found Bendall outside, with self-inflicted stab wounds on his chest and stomach from a bread knife. Bendall told the officers he knew he would 'be going to prison again', and when asked what he had done, calmly responded with 'I've murdered four people.'[7] The officers then entered the property where they located the remains of the victims. Subsequently, Bendall was arrested under the suspicion of murder.[8]

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On 22 September 2021, Bendall was charged with four counts of murder and later rape of a girl under 13 in connection with the incident.[2][9][10]

He admitted all charges and was sentenced by Mr Justice Sweeney to a whole-life prison term on 21 December 2022.[5]

Aftermath

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Vigil

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On 20 September 2021, members of the community held a vigil in honor of the victims. Around 300 people attended including family members of the victims.[11][12]

Evaluation of probationary practices

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Due to the fact that Bendall was on probation when he committed the murders, the HM Inspectorate of Probation conducted a Serious Further Offense review into the way the National Probational Service managed Bendall.[13] Both it and a separate coroner's report expressed concerns about the lack of child safeguarding and domestic abuse checks conducted by the Probational Service in this case and inexperienced staff within the Probational Service among other issues.[14]

Demolition

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On 21 July 2023, the properties where the murders took place were demolished on the orders of North East Derbyshire District Council, this was preceded by consultations of the council with local community members, residents of the area, and relatives of the victims.[15][16]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Killamarsh deaths: Family's tribute to children found dead at house". BBC News. 20 September 2021. Archived from the original on 22 September 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Killamarsh: Man in court charged with murdering three children and woman". BBC News. 22 September 2021. Archived from the original on 22 September 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  3. ^ Wells, Andy (22 September 2021). "Killamarsh deaths: Man, 31, charged with murdering mother and three children". uk.news.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on 22 September 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  4. ^ "Killamarsh: Quadruple murder suspect charged with rape of girl". BBC News. 26 November 2021. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  5. ^ a b Lowbridge, Caroline (21 December 2022). "Killamarsh murders: Damien Bendall given whole-life order". BBC News. Archived from the original on 21 December 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  6. ^ "Sleepover killer boasted his unborn baby was fifth victim when he murdered partner". The Independent. 22 December 2022. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  7. ^ "'I've murdered four people': Moment Damien Bendall tells police he killed his partner and three children". Archived from the original on 21 December 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  8. ^ Chantler-Hicks, Lydia (21 December 2022). "Chilling moment brutal killer confessed to murdering partner and three children". Evening Standard. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  9. ^ Wells, Andy (22 September 2021). "Killamarsh deaths: Man, 31, charged with murdering mother and three children". uk.news.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on 22 September 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  10. ^ "Killamarsh: Quadruple murder suspect charged with rape of girl". BBC News. 26 November 2021. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  11. ^ "Derbyshire deaths: Hundreds attend vigil after mum, two children, and friend 'on a sleepover' found dead". Sky News. 20 September 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  12. ^ "Killamarsh deaths: Family's tribute to children found dead at house". Sky News. 20 September 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  13. ^ O’Neill, Simi; Mullender-Francis, Annabe (17 January 2023). Independent serious further offence review of Damien Bendall (PDF) (Report). HM Inspectorate of Probation. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  14. ^ Nieto, Peter (7 November 2023). Terri Harris, John-Paul Bennett, Lacey Bennett and Connie Gent - Prevention of future deaths report (PDF) (Report). Coroner's Office for Derby and Derbyshire. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  15. ^ "Update on Chandos Crescent, Killamarsh", North East Derbyshire District Council, 12 June 2023, retrieved 24 April 2024
  16. ^ "Killamarsh house where Damien Bendall killed four demolished". ITV news. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
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