Derry Daily
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Tuesday 17°CWednesday 21°C

Derry Daily Derry Daily Derry Daily

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Derry CityLead StoriesPolicing

TV series to examine Katie Simpson’s death and probe that lead to showjumper’s murder trial

written by cassoscoop July 8, 2025
ShareTweet

Murder victim Katie Simpson

A new film will document the killing of Katie Simpson in Derry and features the catalogue of failings leading up to the 21-year-old’s death.

‘Death of a Showjumper will’ stream on Sky from Wednesday, July 16.

The three-part series details the shocking killing of the promising young showjumper.

Jonathan Creswell, who had been abusing her since she was a young teenager, took his own life while on trial for murder.

Sky Originals says the documentary exposes “hypocrisy, secrets and violence under the surface of a seemingly perfect and privileged world” of showjumping.

The documentary features Tanya Fowles, the Northern Ireland court reporter who challenged the PSNI’s original conclusion that Katie had taken her own life.

On August 3, 2020, an unresponsive Katie was driven part-way to Altnagelvin Hospital by Creswell. She was then transferred to an ambulance.

Creswell, who was driving Katie’s car, told paramedics and two police officers that Katie had attempted to take her own life at a house in Derry.

Police were also told by Creswell and another person that Katie had recently been injured in a fall from a horse — to account for the bruising on her body.

She died in hospital without regaining consciousness on August 10, 2020.

Jonathan Cresswell accused of the murder of Katie Simpson

Creswell was eventually charged with Katie’s murder but took his own life after just one day of evidence in the case at Derry Crown Court, sitting in Coleraine.

At his trial it was alleged he had strangled her and tried to cover it up by claiming she had hanged herself.

The makers of the documentary said: “When Katie Simpson died unexpectedly in 2020 the majority of the horse community accepted that she had taken her own life but a local journalist questioned the official conclusion.

“Katie’s death triggered a memory of an old case she covered, a case with too many similarities to Katie’s.

“At the centre of her suspicions was Katie’s sister’s partner, an influential champion showjumper, jockey and horse trainer, Jonathan Creswell.

“Now, in this new three-part documentary series told by the investigators, Katie’s friends and family, and Jonathan Creswell’s circle, the series reveals how a secret investigation ended in a high-stakes murder trial with an ending that no one expected”.

In February Justice Minister Naomi Long announced an independent review into the case of Jonathan Creswell.

Ms Long said she wants to “identify learning” from why he was not the subject of a risk management plan by the police or other agencies.

Years before Ms Simpson’s death, Creswell was jailed for attacking his then partner Abi Lyle.

Murder victim Katie Simpson

Despite a conviction for serious domestic violence, at no stage following his release from prison was he managed under Public Protection Arrangements Northern Ireland (PPANI).

This involves the police and other agencies like the Probation Service managing risks “posed by certain sexual and violent offenders”.

The PSNI have said they “will work alongside partner agencies and fully co-operate with the review into PPANI”.

Last November the Police Ombudsman concluded that the police investigation was flawed and was hindered by the misleading working assumption adopted by a number of officers that Katie’s injuries were self-inflicted.

TV series to examine Katie Simpson’s death and probe that lead to showjumper’s murder trial was last modified: July 8th, 2025 by cassoscoop

Tags:
ALTNAGELVIN HOSPITALDerry CityJonathan CresswellPolicePOLICE OMBUDSMANPSNISky televisionTV series to examine Katie Simpson’s death and probe that lead to showjumper’s murder trial
ShareTweet
cassoscoop

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

New baby monitor units arrive at Altnagelvin...

16 mins ago

Durkan: Executive must act now or more...

3 hours ago

Police appeal over theft of Mercedes van

7 hours ago

Man released over stabbing incident in Derry

7 hours ago

Global talent descends on Derry for the...

7 hours ago

End to programme developed to tackle skills...

8 hours ago

Braidwater Group welcomes £11m funding to unlock...

1 day ago

Together Always – Loving mother and daughter...

1 day ago

Man arrested in Derry over £6k drugs...

1 day ago

Durkan calls for pedestrian safety improvements along...

1 day ago

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Email

Features

  • Sun, sea, spectacular views, historical charm and fabulous food. Tunisia of course

    April 5, 2024
  • Magical trip to see Santa from Belfast

    December 20, 2023
  • DD Travel Feature: Cork’s amazing The Montenotte Hotel

    April 18, 2023
  • Derry cancer survivor Noeleen McMorris reveals importance of awareness

    July 25, 2022
  • Competition! Win tickets to Northern Ireland v England Women’s Euro 2022 match

    June 17, 2022

Courts

  • Man charged to court over Derry drugs seizure

    July 6, 2025
  • Drink-driver charged to court over Derry collision

    July 5, 2025
  • Derry priest faces seven more child sex charges

    July 4, 2025
  • Man charged with possessing indecent images of children

    July 4, 2025
  • Two men in court after £1.2m cannabis find near border

    July 3, 2025

Donegal Daily

    Read More

    • News
    • Sport
    • Courts
    • Jobs
    • Features
    • Business
    • Politics

    Information

    • Contact Us
    • About
    • Advertise WIth Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    Derry Daily

    © 2025 Derry Daily. All rights reserved.


    Back To Top

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy