Still Missing UK - Bernadette Walker, 17, left parent's car, Peterborough, 21 July 2020 *Arrests* #2

[Number8]

A trial has been fixed for June 21 at Cambridge Crown Court with a time estimate of two to three weeks.


Dad of missing Peterborough teenager Bernadette Walker pleads not guilty to murder

IMO, 2-3 week trial estimate seems short. I was on a jury for a murder trial and it took closer to 7-8 weeks. It actually gives me a little hope that they feel pretty confident about their evidence (either direct or circumstantial) even if Bernadette hasn’t been found. Just speculation.

 

[Homo Habilis]

IMO, 2-3 week trial estimate seems short. I was on a jury for a murder trial and it took closer to 7-8 weeks. It actually gives me a little hope that they feel pretty confident about their evidence (either direct or circumstantial) even if Bernadette hasn’t been found. Just speculation.

Hey, nothing wrong with speculating. That's what forums like this are for.

Just a little brainstorm, feel free to add. Possible examples of 'concrete' evidence the police might have:

* Photographs (Scott's a keen photographer)
* Verbal confessions / conversations secretly recorded
* Texts between parents
* The police learned something from the kids
* Murder weapon
* Body part

 

[Tortoise]

Forensic evidence from the house and car, and Bernadette's phone.

It is alleged that between July 18 and September 12 they perverted the course of justice by the sending of messages from Bernadette Walker’s phone, giving the impression she was alive.


September 12th was the date of their arrests.


On September 10th (3 days after police collected Bernadette's tootbrush) this was reported in the local paper Peterborough Matters -

Peterborough teenager Bernadette Walker is now considered to be high risk after she was confirmed as missing almost eight weeks ago on July 18.

Her mum Sarah Walker shared the news on social media, she wrote: "Please keep sharing. The police have now put Bernadette Walker as a high risk missing person due to the amount if time she has been missing.

"Bernadette if you can see this, please let us know that you are safe. You can set up a new Facebook or Instagram darling and message us, that way you can let us know that you're safe without giving away your location."

Peterborough missing girl Bernadette Walker now high risk - PeterboroughMatters.co.uk

 

[Number8]

Hey, nothing wrong with speculating. That's what forums like this are for.

Just a little brainstorm, feel free to add. Possible examples of 'concrete' evidence the police might have:

* Photographs (Scott's a keen photographer)
* Verbal confessions / conversations secretly recorded
* Texts between parents
* The police learned something from the kids
* Murder weapon
* Body part

Hmm yeah. I definitely think they have direct evidence the parents sent the texts and her phone was in their possession. My additional guesses would be:
- incriminating CCTV of their movements
- incriminating cell tower data

I agree that LE may have learned something from the kids too.

 

[Marg from Oz]

I think They May have been sent the messages from their home. This would be show up when they traced the calls.

Moo

 

[Homo Habilis]

The fake texts are good circumstantial evidence, but enough to secure a murder conviction? I can't help but feel they've got something more 'concrete'. I'm sure they used that word.

 

[Marg from Oz]

Do they do deals in England? I am wondering if they might put a deal on the table for Sarah if she spills the beans.

 

[sundaaaay]

To begin with I would guess her parents were interviewed separately and their stories simply didn’t add up. It could be presumed that BW stormed out of a vehicle and decided to end her life somewhere, but the following days would have played out different whether or not she had been found. Sending texts from her phone
weeks later is damning evidence they played a part in her disappearance, you simply would not do that to your daughter if she had disappeared. They probably have more information, could be forensic, but the delay due to making out like she was alive somewhere has potentially made any forensic evidence more difficult to obtain.

 

[Homo Habilis]

Yeah, I'm imagining their stories not adding up, and coupled with the fake texts, it all points towards them knowing something about her disappearance. But not specifically her murder from a jury's point of view. I feel they must have something a little more smoking gun.

 

[Number8]

Yeah, I'm imagining their stories not adding up, and coupled with the fake texts, it all points towards them knowing something about her disappearance. But not specifically her murder from a jury's point of view. I feel they must have something a little more smoking gun.

Do we know if LE removed any evidence from the home? Perhaps they have DNA or blood which indicates a crime happened but not a body

 

[Vera_dci]

Forensic evidence from the house and car, and Bernadette's phone.

It is alleged that between July 18 and September 12 they perverted the course of justice by the sending of messages from Bernadette Walker’s phone, giving the impression she was alive.


September 12th was the date of their arrests.


On September 10th (3 days after police collected Bernadette's tootbrush) this was reported in the local paper Peterborough Matters -

Peterborough teenager Bernadette Walker is now considered to be high risk after she was confirmed as missing almost eight weeks ago on July 18.

Her mum Sarah Walker shared the news on social media, she wrote: "Please keep sharing. The police have now put Bernadette Walker as a high risk missing person due to the amount if time she has been missing.

"Bernadette if you can see this, please let us know that you are safe. You can set up a new Facebook or Instagram darling and message us, that way you can let us know that you're safe without giving away your location."

Peterborough missing girl Bernadette Walker now high risk - PeterboroughMatters.co.uk

I find the fb post by SW slightly odd. No mention of contacting the police or friends but mentions Setting up a new profile or Instagram?! Why set a new one up, can't that be as easily traced as her old one. Makes me think that's what there next plan of action was, setting up a new profile as they couldn't access Bernies current one imo.

I wonder if cadaver dogs picked up scents in Scott's car

 

[sundaaaay]

I find the fb post by SW slightly odd...Makes me think that's what their next plan of action was, setting up a new profile as they couldn't access Bernies current one imo.

Certainly looks like they were trying to convince people she was living elsewhere.

I'm interested to know her more about her relationship with her stepfather. How long has he been part of the family, his previous marriage (if he had one), any history of violence. Is it normal for the children to take their stepfather's surname?

Interesting that she was 17, which is just about the age where running away and remaining alive or running away to stay with mates is just about possible. Was he waiting for this moment, a girl one year younger would have probably triggered a more aggressive missing person campaign.

 

[Homo Habilis]

Certainly looks like they were trying to convince people she was living elsewhere...

My mate's wife and daughter who was friends with Bernie helped out in the early days of the search, and the mother told them she thought Bernie had been abducted by Eastern European traffickers. As friends they believed her of course, but came round to realising that one of the parents, at least, very probably murdered her.

 

[Number8]

I am 100% convinced that her dad was abusing her and her mom knew or was complicit in what happened. I believe BW was telling her friends about it online too and I’m sure LE has those communications. Initially I hoped SaW would cave and confess but I no longer feel like she will. I think she’s a narcissist and obsessed with maintaining an image of the loving perfect mother. The saddest part is how this is affecting the rest of her children who want to believe she’s innocent and that Bernadette is alive. Honestly, it’s evil IMO. I think a lottt of horribleness is going to come out at trial. If any of Bernadettes siblings are reading this: please save yourself by starting a new life without these toxic people. It will get better.

just one amateur sleuth’s opinion.

 

[TreiseOg]

IMO, 2-3 week trial estimate seems short. I was on a jury for a murder trial and it took closer to 7-8 weeks. It actually gives me a little hope that they feel pretty confident about their evidence (either direct or circumstantial) even if Bernadette hasn’t been found. Just speculation.

IME, estimated trial lengths often have a lot to do with the number of witnesses each side plan to call.

Could be that there won't be too many on the list...

 

[Homo Habilis]

I must admit I thought the mother was innocent at first. The dad being involved in a scandlous affair with his step daughter, or just being a flat out abuser, seemed the most plausible motive for the girl to go missing. Throwing the mother into the mix just opened up too many bizarre possibilities. But then the police must have her on remand for good reason, given that she has eight other kids including a newborn. It was actually the birthday card that really swung it for me. 'Just a short message to say...' as if she wouldn't have much to say to her presumed dead daughter. As if she doesn't have much time on her hands!

 

[Number8]

I must admit I thought the mother was innocent at first. The dad being involved in a scandlous affair with his step daughter, or just being a flat out abuser, seemed the most plausible motive for the girl to go missing. Throwing the mother into the mix just opened up too many bizarre possibilities. But then the police must have her on remand for good reason, given that she has eight other kids including a newborn. It was actually the birthday card that really swung it for me. 'Just a short message to say...' as if she wouldn't have much to say to her presumed dead daughter. As if she doesn't have much time on her hands!

Same! “A kiss from mum”. That’s some weird sh*t. It almost feels self deluded

 

[Bethan]

I must admit I thought the mother was innocent at first. The dad being involved in a scandlous affair with his step daughter, or just being a flat out abuser, seemed the most plausible motive for the girl to go missing. Throwing the mother into the mix just opened up too many bizarre possibilities. But then the police must have her on remand for good reason, given that she has eight other kids including a newborn. It was actually the birthday card that really swung it for me. 'Just a short message to say...' as if she wouldn't have much to say to her presumed dead daughter. As if she doesn't have much time on her hands!

I’ve not heard about a birthday card....could you enlighten me ( if it’s from an approved source) TIA

 

[Homo Habilis]

I’ve not heard about a birthday card....could you enlighten me ( if it’s from an approved source) TIA

The eldest lad posted it on his Facebook page. He shares the same first name as a famous actor whose surname is Hopkins.

I’ve not heard about a birthday card....could you enlighten me ( if it’s from an approved source) TIA

I've PM'd you, Bethan.

 

[MsMiniSleuth]

Probably not related, but just about an hour by car from Peterborough, remains found on Tuesday.

Mystery as human bones found in woods near high street