# Scalp Hunter killer kept secret grave location > Serial killer John Sweeney hid victims' remains until death, refusing to reveal graves. - Title: Scalp Hunter killer kept secret grave location · Dailymail - Summary: Serial killer John Sweeney hid victims' remains until death, refusing to reveal graves. John Sweeney, the Scalp Hunter serial killer, kept victims' burial… - Keywords: john sweeney, scalp hunter, melissa halstead, paula fields, old bailey, hmp whitemoor, dismembered bodies, canal burial, dutch police, met police, detective chief inspector howard groves, jail life tariff - Source: Dailymail — https://dailymail.com/crime-desk/article-16095703/I-brought-Scalp-Hunter-serial-killer-despised-kept-sick-secret-grave.html?ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490&ns_mchannel=rss - Published: 2026-09-02T10:54:35+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: john sweeney, scalp hunter, melissa halstead, paula fields, old bailey, hmp whitemoor, dismembered bodies, canal burial, dutch police, met police, detective chief inspector howard groves, jail life tariff ## 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 ## Key takeaway John Sweeney, the Scalp Hunter serial killer, kept victims' burial sites secret until his death to avoid giving closure to families.