GUILTY UK - Helen Bailey, 51, Royston, 11 April 2016 #2

[Cherwell]

Thanks for linking this S. I've read it before but great to have it to hand again. "I'm not unhappy here.." "my heart feels as if I'm going in the wrong direction, literally and emotionally.".........I do think she perhaps may have wanted to move back.

It's only relevant to me if this is part of the trigger for IS as it's certainly not what IS wanted. (Such a pity that neither of them seem to have had the kinds of really close friends that we have, who could testify that there had indeed been discussions. )

There's still time to hear from friends. Helen did have friends like Tracy, and if she could write of her feelings about moving so publicly, she would surely have confided in someone like her.

I notice from that article that the Stewart boys would have been 18 and 21 at the time of the move, so it is indeed a shame that they didn't get a flat in Cambridge for them.

 

[Cherwell]

IS & family didn't leave in a shabby council house and I assume he put money into the house purchase. ( How much ?iDK. As a previous poster says, it would be interesting if this financial info were disclosed in the next weeks of trial.)

His house was quite possibly mortgaged. Perhaps his wife had life insurance to pay it off though.

 

[mrazda71]

IS & family didn't leave in a shabby council house and I assume he put money into the house purchase. ( How much ?iDK. As a previous poster says, it would be interesting if this financial info were disclosed in the next weeks of trial.)

Ah yes, that's what I was saying. A member made those comments (wrongly) and then Alyce did some digging and found the attached. So contrary to some people thinking that Ian set out to bag a sugar momma, he was hardly living hand to mouth himself! So I don't think Helens wealth had anything to do with him getting to know her initially.

 

[Rayemonde]

Whilst this would make a great novel I imagine ... we don't know anything of their relationship and how genuine it was. We don't know that Ian is a predator or that he targeted her or was just after a widow with money.

In fact, all we have been told is that they were very happy and they may well have been... obviously, something went wrong from Ians perspective at some point but that's not to say that he was the pantomime villain from day 1.

You think he might have really loved her at first, then gradually come to hate her? I have to say, killing someone (and their little dog too), then hiding them in a cess pit is very pantomime villain behaviour.... I can't imagine that IS was ever a kind-hearted, loving, caring sort of chap who suddenly turned bad overnight. It isn't as though this was self-defence or something like that. He drugged her for months and then killed her, and all just for money.

 

[Squamous]

There's still time to hear from friends. Helen did have friends like Tracy, and if she could write of her feelings about moving so publicly, she would surely have confided in someone like her.

I notice from that article that the Stewart boys would have been 18 and 21 at the time of the move, so it is indeed a shame that they didn't get a flat in Cambridge for them.

Yes, I don't know if they were asked what they wanted, or if it was assumed they would want to stay very local and with their dad, or if IS emotionally blackmailed Helen by saying that's what they wanted in order to get her to move. I imagine lots of lads that age would prefer to have a shared flat/house bought for them to living in a seven bedroom house with their dad and his new partner.

 

[DollyDiamond]

Whilst this would make a great novel I imagine ... we don't know anything of their relationship and how genuine it was. We don't know that Ian is a predator or that he targeted her or was just after a widow with money.

In fact, all we have been told is that they were very happy and they may well have been... obviously, something went wrong from Ians perspective at some point but that's not to say that he was the pantomime villain from day 1.

This post has really intrigued me. Clearly, like most of us here, you don't know any of the people involved personally. So what's your theory about Ian's personality and motive? No, he's not a pantomime villain - they belong in pantomimes - but the evidence would suggest he is a real life, flesh and blood. calculating murderer.

Or do you believe he is innocent? Your posts repeatedly suggest you have dismissed the prosecution's case that it was a murder motivated by financial gain?

You say 'something went wrong at some point from Ian's perspective', meaning what? I struggle to believe someone is a decent human being right up to the point they decide to commit a premeditated murder (if it had been a sudden, spontaneous crime of passion, you could have a point but the drugging alone points to him being a predator).

It is unlikely IS was a lovely, harmless fella for 55 years on the planet before plotting and carrying out a murder. The jiggery pokery afterwards amending a standing order, pushing for the sale of her property up north etc certainly adds weight to the prosecution's case on motive.

 

[Alyce]

His house was quite possibly mortgaged. Perhaps his wife had life insurance to pay it off though.

I would guess they had insurance to pay off the mortgage, given their ages at the time of wife's death, plus having two children.

Might have also been other policies that paid out,which would have helped him in the months that followed.

 

[Cherwell]

Ah yes, that's what I was saying. A member made those comments (wrongly) and then Alyce did some digging and found the attached. So contrary to some people thinking that Ian set out to bag a sugar momma, he was hardly living hand to mouth himself! So I don't think Helens wealth had anything to do with him getting to know her initially.

Actually I think that turned out to be the wrong house as well.

 

[Alyce]

Ah yes, that's what I was saying. A member made those comments (wrongly) and then Alyce did some digging and found the attached. So contrary to some people thinking that Ian set out to bag a sugar momma, he was hardly living hand to mouth himself! So I don't think Helens wealth had anything to do with him getting to know her initially.

And just to set the record completely straight - that poster then immediately apologised - to me oddly enough, though she had no need to do so.

 

[mrazda71]

This post has really intrigued me. Clearly, like most of us here, you don't know any of the people involved personally. So what's your theory about Ian's personality and motive? No, he's not a pantomime villain - they belong in pantomimes - but the evidence would suggest he is a real life, flesh and blood. calculating murderer.

Or do you believe he is innocent? Your posts repeatedly suggest you have dismissed the prosecution's case that it was a murder motivated by financial gain?

You say 'something went wrong at some point from Ian's perspective', meaning what? I struggle to believe someone is a decent human being right up to the point they decide to commit a premeditated murder (if it had been a sudden, spontaneous crime of passion, you could have a point but the drugging alone points to him being a predator).

It is unlikely IS was a lovely, harmless fella for 55 years on the planet before plotting and carrying out a murder. The jiggery pokery afterwards amending a standing order, pushing for the sale of her property up north etc certainly adds weight to the prosecution's case on motive.

No, I have stated in several of my posts that Ian is clearly, unarguably, guilty so I think I made it clear that I don't think he's innocent.

I also haven't said that I believe it wasn't a financially motivated crime so not sure what you're getting at?

I've been on Websleuth for several years and followed many cases. It's always fun to have newcomers like yourself join and add a different perspective but, if you dislike my posts or my opinions then I respectfully ask that you don't respond to them.

 

[cottonweaver]

There's still time to hear from friends. Helen did have friends like Tracy, and if she could write of her feelings about moving so publicly, she would surely have confided in someone like her.

I notice from that article that the Stewart boys would have been 18 and 21 at the time of the move, so it is indeed a shame that they didn't get a flat in Cambridge for them.

BIB I hope so, cause I didn't get that the impression that Tracy Stratton, her best friend had met IS but someone correct pls if that is not the case.

her evidence we recently heard:
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/author-helen-bailey-planned-marry-12445738

 

[SiSi]

Additionally, is it not most unusual for someone suddenly, out-of-the-blue, to die of an "unexpected epileptic fit" . . . as did IS's wife . . . .. ?

 

[cottonweaver]

Must admit I've never made a poll on WS as I have on other boards- eg. how many think he will testify. etc

Can members make them here or is it mod only?

 

[Alyce]

Actually I think that turned out to be the wrong house as well.

The sale quote is correct, July 2014, accepted a reduced offer of £530,000

yep pic does not seem to relate - see link to right on that page

 

[Alyce]

Must admit I've never made a poll on WS as I have on other boards- eg. how many think he will testify. etc

Can members make them here or is it mod only?

No idea ! but there is a quick method that Cags uses

Put up two posts
One for IS will testify

One for IS will not testify

then ask posters to thank the one that they agree with

 

[DollyDiamond]

No, I have stated in several of my posts that Ian is clearly, unarguably, guilty so I think I made it clear that I don't think he's innocent.

I also haven't said that I believe it wasn't a financially motivated crime so not sure what you're getting at?

I've been on Websleuth for several years and followed many cases. It's always fun to have newcomers like yourself join and add a different perspective but, if you dislike my posts or my opinions then I respectfully ask that you don't respond to them.

I do not object to conflicting opinions, only those which are expressed in an unpleasant manner. I think your idea is excellent, I won't respond to any of your posts and I respectfully ask that you return the favour and do not respond to any of my posts. God bless!

 

[mrazda71]

The sale quote is correct, July 2014, accepted a reduced offer of £530,000

So was that Ian's previous home Alyce? I usually just accept that what you've posted is correct as you're normally on the ball.

 

[hunkerdown]

So was that Ian's previous home Alyce? I usually just accept that what you've posted is correct as you're normally on the ball.

http://m.zoopla.co.uk/property-history/5-poplar-farm-close/bassingbourn/royston/sg8-5na/32777923

This was IS's house.


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[Alyce]

BIB I hope so, cause I didn't get that the impression that Tracy Stratton, her best friend had met IS but someone correct pls if that is not the case.

her evidence we recently heard:
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/author-helen-bailey-planned-marry-12445738

I may also be wrong, but I cant recall that we have - as yet - heard from any friend of Helen's who has met IS.

I would assume ( hope ) that her dog walking pals will have met him - but would they be called ?

 

[Rayemonde]

I'm sure we have people from all kinds of socio-economic backgrounds reading this thread, that may be why some are getting fed up with jibes about IS having a working-class accent or living in a council house, or saying he was obviously inferior to H because he was less educated and didn't work due to disability, etc. :moo: