The Pembrokeshire Murders.

I’m looking forward to the documentary tonight. Seeing the ‘real’ people. Him (such a scary piece of work), his wife etc.
Sad though to think of their adult children at home tonight. Must bring flashbacks they’d rather forget.

Ditto the families of the victims.

Callistemon in one of the articles I read, it said that the police thought she didn’t know that Cooper had been responsible for the murders.
I suppose it depends whether you view her as another of his victims, or as enabling his cruelty to his son (and we know nothing of what happened to their daughter), and his criminal behaviour.

I’m not sure. Perhaps tonight's documentary will shed some light on it - a psychologist’s view would be interesting.

What a great drama series The Pembrokeshire Murders throughly enjoyed the 3 night run especially after the rubbish on TV over the Xmas and new year.

God he looked so ordinary. Poor Flo Evans aged 72y who was the last case at the end. He was her handyman.

Frightening.

To think you’d see him on ‘Bullseye’ and think he seems a nice man. Relaxed. Smiling.

Chilled me to the core tonight.

What do others think?

I did not watch tonight's documentary but I thoroughly enjoyed the three nights it was shown. Chilling.

The one thing I do not understand is why his wife died supposedly from natural causes within a short time of him being discharged from prison and arriving home.

She had a long history of heart problems Charleygirl5 verified by GP records over the years. She must have been terrified alone in their house again with him. He has been abusive many times in the past.

I’d have died from fright too.

Her heart just gave out. So sad really.

It's been edge of the seat viewing, even knowing the verdict in advance.

I was amazed at how many pieces of evidence had been stored at the time, and that it all came down to unpicking the hem on a pair of shorts to find a spot of blood! Talk about a needle in a haystack.

I have so much admiration for the dogged tenacity of the police team and the forensic team, and of course the chap who trawled through hundreds of episodes of Bullseye to find the incriminating TV clip.

Fascinating stuff.

I was interested to try and find out what John Cooper's childhood and upbringing was like but could not find any information. You cannot help but wonder what turns a wee baby boy into this monster of a man.

I am amazed that his wife had not taken herself off somewhere - anywhere - rather than be there when he came out of prison. It would have been good if some help had been there for her to sever the ties.

We recorded it so I'll watch tomorrow, not just before I go to bed.

Same here, not something you want to dwell on before bedtime.I remember the case well, thought it was so awful.

It was interesting, watching the programme tonight, seeing how well and closely the TV dramatisation stuck to the actual, real facts of the case.

Took great interest in the three part dramatisation but fell asleep during the factual. ?

It takes great courage for a victim of abuse to own the victimhood and dare to escape it. That goes for his wife, his son and the two young girls.

janeainsworth

Callistemon in one of the articles I read, it said that the police thought she didn’t know that Cooper had been responsible for the murders.
I suppose it depends whether you view her as another of his victims, or as enabling his cruelty to his son (and we know nothing of what happened to their daughter), and his criminal behaviour.

I’m not sure. Perhaps tonight's documentary will shed some light on it - a psychologist’s view would be interesting.

A psychologist's view would indeed be of interest.

Will we ever be in a position to identify psychopaths before they start on a life of crime, and be able to take steps to prevent them.

At the present time, it sometimes seems that psychologists are all well and good after the event...

Blinko Will we ever be in a position to identify psychopaths before they start on a life of crime, and be able to take steps to prevent them.
Unless someone on the receiving end (usually their family) reports their behaviour, which is unlikely. And you can't detain someone for a crime they haven't committed. Also, psychopaths are very clever and can lie very convincingly.
Google 'what is a psychopath' which is very interesting.
It's likely all serial killers are psychopaths, but not all psychopaths are serial killers. So identifying a killer before they strike is probably never going to be possible.

Have watched the first episode now, quite interesting as to police work and a shocking case.Will watch the next two soon.

At the present time, it sometimes seems that psychologists are all well and good after the event...

Presumably there was a psychologist or psychiatrist on the Parole Board and Cooper managed to fool them into thinking he was a reformed character.

It's likely all serial killers are psychopaths, but not all psychopaths are serial killers.

Presumably there was a psychologist or psychiatrist on the Parole Board and Cooper managed to fool them into thinking he was a reformed character.

Seems to me it's a very inexact science...

I can't get over how the actor playing the Inspector looks like David Miliband. Quite uncanny.

Mamie

I can't get over how the actor playing the Inspector looks like David Miliband. Quite uncanny.

... but better looking!

I watched the whole series and am not quite sure why. It was worthy but not really very engaging, in my opinion. Well done to the police who re-investigated though.

We have just watched all three episodes and even though I knew the outcome I still found it edge of the seat watching.

We have family in Pembrokeshire but even so it was shocking to us that the bodies were found in the hamlet our nephew lives in and that Cooper lived in the village where my sister in law lives.

I too have total admiration for the police and forensic team who’s determination ensured a guilty verdict.

I hope his children and the families of the victims,also the young victims have all found peace.

Blinko

^It's likely all serial killers are psychopaths, but not all psychopaths are serial killers.^

Presumably there was a psychologist or psychiatrist on the Parole Board and Cooper managed to fool them into thinking he was a reformed character.

Seems to me it's a very inexact science...

Clarification required:

The first quote was not mine
The second one is.

I watched all three episodes yesterday and thought it was excellent drama. Anything that keeps you interested, and on edge, when you know the outcome must be so well written and presented.

Can someone please remind me why the detective and his team re-opened the case? It seemed such a daunting prospect.

Here you are Riverwalk
www.itv.com/news/wales/2021-01-11/the-pembrokeshire-murders-the-true-story-behind-the-notorious-double-murders-that-shook-west-wales

Thank you V3ra I'll have a read of that.