From Dailymail · · 2m
Scalp Hunter killer kept secret grave location
Serial killer John Sweeney hid victims' remains until death, refusing to reveal graves.
In brief
Serial killer John Sweeney hid victims' remains until death, refusing to reveal graves. John Sweeney, the Scalp Hunter serial killer, kept victims' burial sites secret until his death to avoid giving closure to families. Originally reported by Dailymail.
John Sweeney's crimes
John Sweeney, known as the Scalp Hunter, murdered Melissa Halstead and Paula Fields and dumped their mutilated bodies in London canals and the Netherlands.
“Sweeney, who called himself the Scalp Hunter, butchered Melissa Halstead and Paula Fields before dumping them into canals in London and the Netherlands”
Sweeney's court arrogance
Sweeney refused to listen to evidence in court, stuck earplugs in his ears, and stayed in his cell after being found guilty.
“he stuck earplugs in to block out any references to his crimes and then refused to leave his cell for sentencing after being found guilty”
Sweeney's death
Sweeney died aged 69 from cancer at HMP Whitemoor, Cambridgeshire, after being jailed for life in 2011.
“He was given a whole life tariff for his evil and died behind bars from cancer aged 69 at HMP Whitemoor, Cambridgeshire, last week”
Sweeney's secret grave
Sweeney kept victims' burial sites secret until his death, refusing to reveal graves to families.
“Sweeney saved a final act of wickedness for his dying breath, taking the secrets of where he buried the remains of victims to the grave”
Detective's perspective
Retired Detective Chief Inspector Howard Groves felt Sweeney despised him and refused to share burial sites with families.
“I know that he despised me because of the investigation”
Sweeney's motive
Sweeney believed he had the power to keep secrets, refusing to disclose burial sites to avoid giving families closure.
“I suppose he's somebody who feels that they have the upper hand, 'I will always take this secret with me to my grave'”
Sweeney's victims
Melissa Halstead, an American model, was found in Rotterdam canal in May 1990; Paula Fields, a 31-year-old mother, was found in London canal in 2001.
“Halstead was an American-born model, originally from Ohio, whose torso was discovered in a Rotterdam canal on May 3, 1990”
Sweeney's crimes
Sweeney dismembered victims, created disturbing artwork, and used weapons including sawn-off shotguns and a pistol.
“Pictures depicted women with hands and feet chopped off, references to '666' and Sweeney as Satan”
Sweeney's connections
Sweeney had relationships in the UK, Netherlands, and elsewhere in Europe where he claimed to have '30 to 40' relationships.
“Police suspect he may have slaughtered others in the UK, the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe where he told them he had '30 to 40' relationships”
Sweeney's trial
Sweeney's conviction relied on artwork and testimony from people associated with him over time.
“There wasn't that much forensic evidence for us to go on, a lot of [the case] relied on the artwork that he'd done and the testimony of other people”
Sweeney's impact
Sweeney's actions left victims' families without closure, as he refused to reveal burial sites.
“They have not had closure in a way that they would like it”
Sweeney's final act
Sweeney died with the secret of victims' burial sites buried with him.
“Sweeney saved a final act of wickedness for his dying breath, taking the secrets of where he buried the remains of victims to the grave”
Sweeney's legacy
Sweeney's case was the first time British police cooperated with Dutch police on a series of murders.
“Sweeney's conviction was the first time British police had teamed up with detectives from another country to investigate a series of murders”
Sweeney's death
Sweeney died aged 69 from cancer at HMP Whitemoor, Cambridgeshire, after being jailed for life in 2011.
“He was given a whole life tariff for his evil and died behind bars from cancer aged 69 at HMP Whitemoor, Cambridgeshire, last week”
Sweeney's final words
Sweeney refused to share burial sites with families, keeping the secret until his death.
“Sweeney saved a final act of wickedness for his dying breath, taking the secrets of where he buried the remains of victims to the grave”
What to remember
John Sweeney, the Scalp Hunter serial killer, kept victims' burial sites secret until his death to avoid giving closure to families.
