INTRODUCTION

Hello, I'm Stef. I've worked in the field of death investigation since 2006 and I have individually dealt with over five thousand deaths and spoken to many bereaved families. I am inquisitive and passionate, and everything I do - I do because I care.

I get most things in life right, but I'm human so I accept that I don't always. However, on this occasion I believe that I am right. If I am not, then surely, I should not be punished for asking difficult questions of the authorities who employ me and those tasked with investigating serious crime?

We all know the police can at times get things wrong, but in this situation, I am being punished for daring to suggest that this could be the case. At least, I would expect a full (independent) review of the cases I have highlighted as having very suspicious crime scenes. But instead, I have faced criminal charges and I am now fighting my case in the Employment Tribunal. I have been suspended and could lose the job and the career that I love and am committed to.

I am up against a very well-funded public authority, and I need your help to fund my case and uncover the truth. What I did, I did for the right reasons. I was simply being a voice for the dead.

CHRONOLOGY

Sept 2018 – I submitted a first report (to the respondent) which raised concerns about murder-suicide cases that appeared to be disguised double murders. After submitting this report, I then started a research PhD in Equivocal Death Investigation.

2019 – The report still hadn’t been read six months later, but permission was given to work on an updated version after attending specialist courses in the US. The respondent was then informed that forensic experts concurred that the cases looked to be double murders staged as murder-suicides, but the response I got was negative. It was agreed however that I would still update and submit my report.

June 2020 – To increase the chances of my concerns being taken more seriously by the respondent, forensic and police experts were asked to peer-review my report first before it was submitted for the second time.

July 2020 - I later discovered that my updated report had been leaked to the media and that an article was due to be published. I informed my bosses immediately. After a few weeks, my bosses informed me that my disclosure to experts was seen as ‘professional learning’ and I was assured my job was safe. I was also hopeful that my report would finally be read and taken seriously.

August 2020 – An article was published in the Sunday Times, which led to a media frenzy. I was referred for formal investigation. Within days, a letter addressed to me was sent by a member of public. This letter was then turned into a 'public complaint'.

September 2020 – I was subjected to a house search after being told I was under a criminal gross misconduct investigation (in contrast to 'professional learning'). Many items belonging to me were seized. I ended up with suicidal ideation and found that I couldn't hear on the replacement phone. This led to me feeling scared and isolated, and I ended up self-harming.

October 2020 - I was subjected to an interview-under-caution which I found intrusive and inappropriate. After this interview again I considered suicide, and again I self-harmed.

January 2021 – I raised concerns of discrimination and being subjected to an unethical investigation. I was immediately suspended. I took this as a warning to stop standing up for myself.

March 2021 – An internal desktop review of my forensic report concluded that the cases were "still murder-suicides". I asked what evidence there was, that confirmed my findings were wrong. This request was refused.

May 2021 – I was diagnosed as having symptoms of complex PTSD (flashbacks of my house being searched, daily nightmares and associated anxiety).

May-June 2021 – A 'gross misconduct report' was published. This report omitted my extensive exculpatory evidence and it tried to discredit me and my professional background. I also found out that the only person I trusted at work had thrown me under the bus by giving a misleading account. A formal grievance report was then submitted against several police officers (at varying ranks).

June 2021 – Media coverage was raised again regarding the ongoing situation. I was (and still am) humbled by the unanimous support I received from the public.

October 2021 – I started volunteering at my local RSPCA branch. This got me out of my black hole, and I felt a sense of purpose again.

November 2021 – I received a letter from the respondent confirming the CPS were not proceeding with criminal charges. The letter went on to say that the CPS made the decision (much) earlier and the delay in notifying me was due to the respondent appealing this decision. Their appeal failed.

April 2022 – After I attempted to restart my PhD, communications were sent out which caused further damage to my PhD prospects. A second grievance was submitted.

May 2022 - A book was published which again raised media interest in the cases. The public continued to be supportive towards me, which I am so grateful for. This book was not authored, or part-authored by me, and I have not received any funds for it.

Summer 2022 – I was informed that both of my substantiated grievance reports were '"not upheld". This was despite the refusal to investigate serious concerns surrounding the actions of some senior police officers and one individual.

September 2022 – A job offer to work in a similar line of work was withdrawn (likely due to the non-receipt of a reference). At the time of writing, I remain trapped in my current situation.

UPCOMING:

Employment Tribunal proceedings (being heard in Liverpool)

Later in 2022 (dates TBC): Preliminary 3-day public hearing. This is to determine if the disclosures of my report to experts are qualifying protected disclosures (under the Public Interest Disclosure Act). The first day will cover disclosure issues, the list of witnesses giving live evidence and the list of issues to be covered.

October 2023: Substantive 7-day public hearing. This will cover the disability discrimination and the detriments I have been subjected to due to raising concerns about missed double murders.

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED

Up until recently, I was fighting this fight alone, and I represented myself during the initial Employment Tribunal proceedings. But after breaking down in court during my last case management hearing and being ready to give up, I managed to find a London-based whistleblowing legal team to help me with my ongoing battle.

Given the complexity of my case, I'm now at the stage that I need help from the public so I can keep this fight going.

Even if I don’t win this Tribunal, at least I get to have a voice in an open judicial forum. Up to now, I have been forced to remain silent.

I want to ensure that what happened in my situation never happens to anyone else.

**ALL PLEDGES GO DIRECT TO MY LAWYER AND NOT TO ME**

Legal costs total SO FAR (as at Sept 2022): Approx. £9000

- (Predicted) Preliminary Employment Tribunal Hearing: Approx. £16,000 

- (Predicted) Substantive Employment Tribunal Hearing: Approx. £50,000

Predicted TOTAL legal costs from start to finish: 

Approx. £75,000

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH :) x