What did Robert Napper do?
Robert Napper is an English serial killer and rapist. He has killed 3 people but many believe this number could a lot higher. He brutally murdered Rachel Nickell in 1992 and also killed Samantha Bisset and her daughter, Jasmine, in 1993.
The Murder of Rachel Nickell
Rachel Nickell was stabbed to death on Wimbledon Common in south west London on the 15th July 1992. Nickell was walking with her 2 year old son when she was stabbed 49 times in the neck and torso and died at the scene.
The initial police investigation led to the the arrest of an innocent man called Colin Stagg, who was known to walk his dog on the Common. As there was no forensic evidence linking Stagg to the scene, the police asked a criminal psychologist to come up with an offender profile of the killer. They decided Stag fitted the profile and launched a covert operation called Operation Edzell.
This involved a honeytrap where a female officer posed as a potential romantic interest. Over the next 5 months, she met with Stagg and exchanged letters containing sexual fantasies. They eventually spoke about the Nickell murder. Stagg was then arrested and charged on the basis of claims he described aspects of the murder that only the killer would’ve known.
The case went to trial and Colin Stagg was acquitted of the murder, and Operation Edzell was slated by the judge. Sadly, this investigation into an innocent man, led the real killer to strike again.
The Double Murder of Samantha and Jasmine Bisset
In November 1993, just over a year after Rachel Nickell was murdered, Samantha Bisset and her daughter Jazmine were killed in Plumstead, South East London.
Robert Napper forced his way into their property and stabbed Samantha Bisset in the neck and chest and then sexually assaulted her. He then assaulted and smothered 4 year old Jasmine to death.
Napper was arrested after a fingerprint was recovered from the flat and he was convicted of the double murders in 1995.
Rachel Nickell cold case review
In the late 1990’s, Nickell’s murder was re-investigated. In 2003, 11 years after the murder, tests were carried out on Nickell’s clothes, and police found an unknown male DNA sample. The sample was insufficient to confirm an identity, but was large enough to rule out certain suspects. In 2006, police interviewed Robert Napper on suspicion of Nickell’s murder. On the 28th November, 2007, Napper was charged with the murder.
On the 18th December 2008, Napper pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Rachel Nickell on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
Where is Robert Napper now?
Robert Napper was sentenced to be held indefinitely at Broadmoor Hospital in December 2008. It is highly unlikely he will ever be released. He is 57 years old now.
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