The Tragic Death of Katie Simpson
The quiet village of Tynan in County Armagh was deeply shaken when news of the suicide of Katie Simpson spread. Known as a rising star in the equestrian community, Katie was admired for her vibrant personality, sense of humor, and dedication to her passion. She worked multiple jobs in stables to save up for her dream horse, showing an unwavering commitment to her goals.
In August 2020, at just 21 years old, Katie was taken to Derry’s Altnagelvin Hospital by Jonathan Cresswell, her sister Christina’s partner, after he claimed she had attempted suicide. According to Cresswell, he found her at home, put her in his car, and called for emergency services. An ambulance met them on the way, and Katie was taken to the hospital.
However, it soon became clear that something was wrong. Her phone was missing, and her body showed signs of bruising across various parts. Despite these red flags, the police logged her death as a suicide, dismissing concerns raised by officers who felt the case might be suspicious.
Cresswell, a charismatic figure in the equestrian world, was seen as a respected member of society. However, local journalist and friend of Katie, Tanya Fowles, was immediately skeptical. She recalled an incident from 2009 where Cresswell had been arrested for attacking his then-girlfriend. Her suspicions were further confirmed when she saw him smiling at Katie’s funeral, prompting her to reach out to Detective Sergeant James Brannigan.
Brannigan, known for his work in solving high-profile cases, took Tanya’s concerns seriously. He spent days investigating, reviewing autopsy photos, and speaking with those close to Katie. His findings were alarming: a semi-naked girl covered in bruises, driven by a man with a history of violence against women, claiming she had committed suicide.
Despite his efforts, Brannigan faced resistance from his superiors. However, he persisted, especially after learning about Katie’s recent excitement over upcoming riding events and her prank calls to friends. This led him to investigate further, eventually uncovering a new boyfriend who revealed messages showing Katie’s fear of Cresswell.
The breakthrough came months later when postmortem analysis revealed Cresswell’s semen inside Katie’s body along with vaginal injuries. This evidence allowed Brannigan to arrest Cresswell for the rape and murder of Katie.
During questioning, Cresswell made shocking claims, including that he had been in a relationship with Katie and had sex with her while his partner was nearby. However, two key lies exposed his guilt. One was his account of finding Katie’s body, which Brannigan quickly disproved. The second involved the disappearance of her phone, which data analysis showed had been switched to flight mode during the time he claimed to have performed CPR.
In April 2023, Jonathan Cresswell appeared in court, pleading not guilty. However, shortly after the trial began, he was found dead at his home, leaving many questioning whether justice was truly served.
The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland later criticized the initial investigation into Katie’s death, calling it flawed and failing the Simpson family. PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck acknowledged the shortcomings and apologized for the lack of rigor in the investigation.
Brannigan, disillusioned by the system, left the police force and is now establishing an organization to prevent similar tragedies. His goal is to ensure that questions remain unanswered and that justice is pursued, especially in cases where foul play may be involved.
With the rise in hidden homicides and budget cuts affecting police resources, Brannigan believes there is a growing need for such initiatives, particularly in regions with high rates of domestic violence. His organization aims to support victims and their families, ensuring that no one is silenced again.
