Colin Howell: Daughter Distressed as Confession Tapes Air

Introduction: Why the Colin Howell case still matters

The broadcast of confession tapes from Colin Howell has renewed public attention on a case that has haunted Northern Ireland for decades. The two 1991 killings of Lesley Howell and police officer Trevor Buchanan were long regarded as complex and shocking crimes. The recent BBC documentary’s decision to air interview recordings for the first time has raised questions about justice, investigative failings and the ongoing distress felt by victims’ families.

Main body: What the documentary revealed

New public airing of confession tapes

In a two-part BBC documentary, Confessions of a Killer, viewers heard recordings of Colin Howell — a Coleraine dentist — admitting involvement in the deaths of his wife Lesley and Hazel Stewart’s husband Trevor Buchanan. The confession tapes, broadcast in public for the first time, include Howell describing Stewart’s role in the killings. The programme also features interviews with people who knew the Howells and Buchanans, and journalists who reported on the case.

Family reaction and wider context

Bradford-Clarke, the daughter of one of the victims, said it was very distressing to hear her father’s confessions on air. She told reporters she was not opposed to coverage of the crimes and has been contributing to a separate documentary, but said the public airing of the tapes has been painful. The documentary underscores the human cost of the case and the continuing impact on relatives.

Case history and investigations

Howell walked into a police station in County Londonderry in January 2009 and admitted the killings. He later pleaded guilty to both murders. Court testimony and subsequent findings concluded Howell staged the deaths to appear as suicides. He has been sentenced to life imprisonment. Separately, the Police Ombudsman described the original police investigation as deeply flawed, highlighting concerns over how the case was handled in the years after the 1991 deaths.

Conclusion: Significance and outlook

The release of Howell’s confession tapes in the BBC documentary has renewed public discussion about accountability and victim support. For readers, the case is a reminder of the long-term consequences of investigative errors and the importance of transparent reporting. With family members continuing to engage with media portrayals, the broadcasts may prompt renewed scrutiny of past inquiries and support calls for lessons to be learned by police and forensic services.