GUILTY UK - Helen Bailey, 51, Royston, 11 April 2016 #1

[Alyce]

Very interesting link and timings Tortoise !

I see that the most recent MOT on the MG expired March 17, 2016

and the vehicle is currently SORN

 

[michelle230]

Lol not really. Just trying to put off doing today all the things I *may* get round to doing tomorrow!
In truth a large part of following these cases for me is studying the defendants and their reactions/body language /facial expressions etc. My guess is he will look a pathetic, scared and weak individual. Because he has been found out and he knows how despised he is. Added to that, he has to face his sons and ALL their questions.
Mickelle

 

[BatFace]

I believe Stewart met Helen through the bereavement support group "Widowed And Young", which has regional chapters and closed Facebook groups. The members were very supportive of each other and formed close friendships through regular social events. I believe he was well-liked, and members were pleased when he and Helen got together.

 

[BatFace]

The front cover picture of Stewart's Facebook page is of his red sports car, iirc. Presumably the one he bought shortly after his wife died?

 

[Alyce]

The front cover picture of Stewart's Facebook page is of his red sports car, iirc. Presumably the one he bought shortly after his wife died?

Indeed.

Interesting that it is currently SORN. Might explain why the police took the Fiat ( which I think was Helen's ) away for inspection.

 

[neteditor]

A few points...

The web site services IS was providing through that site are pretty amateurish, indeed, this (not very pretty) amateur can provide all those same services on the back of 10 or so years dabbling on the internet and self-teaching. I run a few web sites for friends and for myself. It's no harder than learning how to use Word for the first time. There's no way he was making any sort of good money from that IMO.

My friend who knew both HB and IS through the widow group spent all last week convinced LE had made a mistake. It was only when HB was found that she changed her view. She's devastated at what she perceives as her poor judgment of people. But hell she's my friend for nearly 20 years she should have figured that out by now She did tell me she has spent hours in conversation (I presume through FB messages) with IS. My friend's partner died a good few years before IS / HB's so she would have been in that group long before they were. I don't like to ask her outright, but if I see anything mentioned that is relevant I will let you know here.

As to the moving around of a body being witnessed by neighbours, it doesn't look to me as though neighbours could have seen into HB's property from their own homes? They look quite well secluded by trees and foliage? Though of course in early April there may not have been as many leaves. I think, especially at night, one could do more or less what they please without being witnessed. The interesting bit for me will be why the dogs didn't pick anything up. Presumably she was dumped very soon after death which would imply malice aforethought, as opposed to hours/days panicking over what to do with her body?

 

[jessie]

Look at this - it's the year his wife died, a couple of months after.

http://www.mgexp.com/member/Sykic

Would the joining date on the above be 12th August or 8th December ? I'm not sure how to read that. Thanks

 

[neteditor]

Just been looking at IS' facebook... the black and white shot of himself and HB on the stairs, he says was taken in his old house by the estate agent's photographer when it was being put on the market. It looks like a very downmarket two or three bedroom, almost ex council house style property. The pre-fab type stairs and rails, the cheap internal doors. He really went up in the world when he met her didn't he? His financial contribution to the Royston house can't have been significant.

 

[Tortoise]

A few points...

The web site services IS was providing through that site are pretty amateurish, indeed, this (not very pretty) amateur can provide all those same services on the back of 10 or so years dabbling on the internet and self-teaching. I run a few web sites for friends and for myself. It's no harder than learning how to use Word for the first time. There's no way he was making any sort of good money from that IMO.

My friend who knew both HB and IS through the widow group spent all last week convinced LE had made a mistake. It was only when HB was found that she changed her view. She's devastated at what she perceives as her poor judgment of people. But hell she's my friend for nearly 20 years she should have figured that out by now She did tell me she has spent hours in conversation (I presume through FB messages) with IS. My friend's partner died a good few years before IS / HB's so she would have been in that group long before they were. I don't like to ask her outright, but if I see anything mentioned that is relevant I will let you know here.

As to the moving around of a body being witnessed by neighbours, it doesn't look to me as though neighbours could have seen into HB's property from their own homes? They look quite well secluded by trees and foliage? Though of course in early April there may not have been as many leaves. I think, especially at night, one could do more or less what they please without being witnessed. The interesting bit for me will be why the dogs didn't pick anything up. Presumably she was dumped very soon after death which would imply malice aforethought, as opposed to hours/days panicking over what to do with her body?

yes, I was just reading this article again pertaining to the early search done, and noticed this - could he have covered over the manhole so they missed it? - ;

[FONT=&amp]"The house where she lives with Stewart and his two adult sons was searched – the garages, the outbuildings and the outdoor swimming pool; the septic tank was drained."

[/FONT]

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news...issing-mystery-disappearance-childrens-author

 

[Tortoise]

Would the joining date on the above be 12th August or 8th December ? I'm not sure how to read that. Thanks

Could be either depending on the site set up, but I read it as August.

 

[BatFace]

There is a public Facebook group in remembrance of Diane Helen Stewart, IS's wife. All the posts are visible. The ONLY post that Ian Stewart has ever made in there is typically taciturn- simply "X" on her birthday this year, April 24th. He hadn't bothered any other year.

 

[neteditor]

yes, I was just reading this article again pertaining to the early search done, and noticed this - could he have covered over the manhole so they missed it? - ;

[FONT=&amp]"The house where she lives with Stewart and his two adult sons was searched – the garages, the outbuildings and the outdoor swimming pool; the septic tank was drained."

[/FONT]

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news...issing-mystery-disappearance-childrens-author

Without knowing exactly where the access to it was it's hard to say how and why the police missed it in the first drainage of the tank.

I know as a writer my google history is downright bizarre, but it's getting worse this week However this is quite an interesting page on septic tanks:

http://djwl.co.uk/blog/brief-history-septic-tanks/

I googled images of Victorian septic tanks to try and get some insight.

I think the oldest septic tank I had only had direct access to the overflow, and that was just one of those iron sheets with a hole in it for putting your finger through to lift it up. It was very shallow and small, certainly not big enough to put a body in. At the same time, was for a much smaller house though. The main tank was some distance away under the neighbouring farm field, it was emptied every few year by the farmer (also my landlord at the time) using his slurry tanker. So there was access big enough for the tanker hose but I never saw how big the access was. Presumably HB's also had access for the same purpose? Perhaps he chucked a nice new layer of concrete on top of it?

 

[Tortoise]

There is a public Facebook group in remembrance of Diane Helen Stewart, IS's wife. All the posts are visible. The ONLY post that Ian Stewart has ever made in there is typically taciturn- simply "X" on her birthday this year, April 24th. He hadn't bothered any other year.

Now that I find VERY interesting. Because he knows now (on April 24th) he is under scrutiny, and he knows there will be questions regarding his wife's death. IMO.

 

[neteditor]

There is a public Facebook group in remembrance of Diane Helen Stewart, IS's wife. All the posts are visible. The ONLY post that Ian Stewart has ever made in there is typically taciturn- simply "X" on her birthday this year, April 24th. He hadn't bothered any other year.

OMG I was just on there too lol... note the message left by her sister giving cause of death... and another more recent one saying "so many unanswered questions"

 

[BatFace]

That "X" really is an insult, isn't it? He might as well post "IJDGAF".

 

[Alyce]

A few points...

The web site services IS was providing through that site are pretty amateurish, indeed, this (not very pretty) amateur can provide all those same services on the back of 10 or so years dabbling on the internet and self-teaching. I run a few web sites for friends and for myself. It's no harder than learning how to use Word for the first time. There's no way he was making any sort of good money from that IMO.

My friend who knew both HB and IS through the widow group spent all last week convinced LE had made a mistake. It was only when HB was found that she changed her view. She's devastated at what she perceives as her poor judgment of people. But hell she's my friend for nearly 20 years she should have figured that out by now She did tell me she has spent hours in conversation (I presume through FB messages) with IS. My friend's partner died a good few years before IS / HB's so she would have been in that group long before they were. I don't like to ask her outright, but if I see anything mentioned that is relevant I will let you know here.

As to the moving around of a body being witnessed by neighbours, it doesn't look to me as though neighbours could have seen into HB's property from their own homes? They look quite well secluded by trees and foliage? Though of course in early April there may not have been as many leaves. I think, especially at night, one could do more or less what they please without being witnessed. The interesting bit for me will be why the dogs didn't pick anything up. Presumably she was dumped very soon after death which would imply malice aforethought, as opposed to hours/days panicking over what to do with her body?

Agree totally re the web services. Nothing special at all and no money there.

Your poor friend x such a shock for her.

As to the overlooking of the garage. Have a look at the property to the left of Helen's - it's a newish build ( google shows pics of this ) and there are windows at the back from which someone should be able to see down to the garage entrance. But, as we have said, if IS went in there by driving his car , the no one would take any notice of that.

I think Helen was put there fairly swiftly because it was pre planned and he had the location for the body/bodies already fixed in his mind.

 

[Alyce]

That "X" really is an insult, isn't it? He might as well post "IJDGAF".

Yes I thought exactly that

 

[Alyce]

Just been looking at IS' facebook... the black and white shot of himself and HB on the stairs, he says was taken in his old house by the estate agent's photographer when it was being put on the market. It looks like a very downmarket two or three bedroom, almost ex council house style property. The pre-fab type stairs and rails, the cheap internal doors. He really went up in the world when he met her didn't he? His financial contribution to the Royston house can't have been significant.

That was Helen's house in Highgate, taken when she was putting it on the market ( April 2013 ).

I am probably being over cynical here but when people have commented on what a lovely pic that is, his only reply - instead of saying yes doesnt Helen look lovely, is to comment on his hair. Yet again, it's all about him isnt it.

 

[Alyce]

yes, I was just reading this article again pertaining to the early search done, and noticed this - could he have covered over the manhole so they missed it? - ;

[FONT=&]"The house where she lives with Stewart and his two adult sons was searched – the garages, the outbuildings and the outdoor swimming pool; the septic tank was drained."

[/FONT]

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news...issing-mystery-disappearance-childrens-author

Yes, there was plywood and a car parked on top of it when the police went to find it ( after the previous owner gave them the details )

 

[Alyce]

Would the joining date on the above be 12th August or 8th December ? I'm not sure how to read that. Thanks

i think its a US based site, I read it as August 12.

The last forum activity shows as 08-13- 2010 - so August 13. ( wouldnt work the other way round )