In a shocking revelation, the confessions of one of Northern Ireland’s most notorious killers, Colin Howell, are set to be broadcast for the first time. Howell, a former dentist, murdered his wife and his lover’s husband in 1991, in what was initially believed to be a double suicide pact.
However, nearly two decades later, Howell walked into a police station and confessed to the brutal killings. His confessions will be featured in a two-part BBC documentary, “Confessions of a Killer,” providing a chilling insight into the mind of a murderer.
Howell’s former lover, Hazel Stewart, was also convicted for the murders of Lesley Howell and police officer Trevor Buchanan. In the police tapes, Howell describes Stewart as a “victim” who was under his coercive control at the time of the crimes.
The documentary explores the events leading up to the murders, as well as Howell’s decision to confess nearly 18 years later. Howell, a prominent member of his church in Coleraine, said he realised “as a Christian I was a fake” and that his “world fell apart,” prompting him to come forward.
Alongside Howell’s confessions, the documentary includes interviews with those who knew the Howells and Buchanans, as well as journalists who covered the case. The chilling revelations are sure to send shockwaves through Northern Ireland once again.
The first episode of “Confessions of a Killer” will air on BBC One NI on Tuesday, 20 January, and then on BBC Two on Thursday, 22 January. The programme will also be available on iPlayer.
