Police contacted by member of public who first cast doubt on Katie Simpson suicide attempt theory, PSNI tells Policing Board

Ms Simpson died in hospital in August 2020, six days after an incident at the house she shared with her sister and her sister’s partner, Jonathan Creswell, who was subsequently charged with the rape and murder of the 21-year-old showjumper.

Creswell (36), who had claimed he found Ms Simpson hanging following a suicide attempt, was found dead at his home on the second day of his trial last week. He was on bail at the time.

Ms Simpson’s death was initially treated as a suicide by police. It was not until March of 2021 that Creswell was arrested and charged with her murder.

In May 2021, the Police Ombudsman’s office confirmed it had launched an investigation after receiving complaints about the PSNI’s investigation into Ms Simpson’s death.

Following a question asked by Alliance Party Policing Board member Nuala McAllister, PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher explained how the investigation into the showjumper’s death unfolded.

“On the morning of Monday, August 3, 2020, Katie was admitted to Altnagelvin Area Hospital by ambulance as a result of a suspected suicide attempt by hanging, after having been discovered by her sister’s partner, Jonathan Creswell,” he said.

“Sadly, Katie did not regain consciousness and died as a result of her injuries on August 9, 2020. The incident was treated as a suspected suicide.

“A number of departments and branches who responded, including detectives of various ranks, carried out initial enquiries, including during the weekend of August 14, when information was raised with us around a concern about the cause of Katie’s death.”

Mr Boutcher said that, as Ms Simpson was admitted to hospital on August 3 and died on August 9, evidence that could have been discovered, had her body been examined by a pathologist sooner, may have “eroded”, making it harder for the pathologist to determine the exact cause of death.

“And, of course, Katie never regained consciousness to say what had happened,” he said.

“But, in effect, due to people raising concerns about Creswell and his behaviour, between August and December [of 2020], there were a number that led to a reassessment of what had happened.

“In January of 2021, Creswell was determined to be a suspect in the murder of Ms Simpson. In March, he was arrested and prosecuted.

“There has been a [Police Ombudsman’s] investigation and I have been in touch with the ombudsman this week in regards to that investigation, to ensure that any information we have about our response is properly examined so that we understand any lessons to be learned.

“We have had a circa-1,400-page report from the ombudsman which has identified officers having committed misconduct — not gross misconduct or criminal [misconduct] — and that misconduct process is now underway through our professional standards department, under the stewardship of the Deputy Chief Constable.

“These events will be further examined, I suspect, through an inquest [into Ms Simpson’s death].”

Mr Boutcher added: “We now know, through his lifestyle, that there were additional vile offences which he committed.”

In a further question, Ms McAllister said it is her understanding that, between the time Ms Simpson was admitted to hospital and the time she died, concerns were raised with response team officers who attended that scene, from where she was “found” by Creswell, that it wasn’t a suicide attempt.

PSNI Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck replied: “For confirmation and clarity, I can confirm that, while Katie Simpson was being treated in hospital, a member of the public did contact police with concerns regarding the incident, suggesting that it may not have been a suicide attempt.

“This was flagged with [Criminal Investigation Department] officers and, as a result of that, a forensic post-mortem examination was directed and a CID detective attended that post-mortem, which was conducted on August 11, to help and advise the pathologist.

“The coroner still has to direct on an inquest, so it would not be appropriate to expand on the pathologist’s findings at this time. But on the basis of those findings, and on the basis of the evidence available at that time, it was accepted by police at the time that the incident was non-suspicious.

“Clearly, other information in the weekend that followed, of August 14, that required further examination.”

Speaking after the meeting, Ms McAlister told the Belfast Telegraph: “There are a number of concerns around the investigation and why it was treated as suicide for quite some time. Those concerns have been vindicated now the Chief Constable has revealed publicly officers have committed misconduct in relation to it.

“Lots of questions need answered about the police investigation and while due process needs to happen and statutory bodies have roles to play, that cannot come at the expense of accountability.

“This is an issue I am not going to rest on – Katie’s family need answers but also there is a point for wider society and accountability of police officers, no matter their rank. If our police service is to serve all the people fairly, it needs to give them confidence it is investigating incidents correctly from the moment they take place.”

On the first day of Creswell’s trial last week, the prosecution said he had previous “illicit” sexual relations with Ms Simpson and had murdered her after discovering she had started a relationship with someone else.

The prosecution alleged Creswell tried to “cover up” Ms Simpson’s death in a “calculated and deceitful” manner by claiming the young showjumper died as a result of suicide.