AFTER The Jigsaw Killer murdered his landlord, police spent a week identifying the victim — his body parts had been scattered across two counties.
His crimes feature in an episode of Channel 5 true crime doc Killer at the Crime Scene.
Who is The Jigsaw Killer?
Stephen Marshall is the real name of the murderer who came to be known as The Jigsaw Killer.
He was a personal trainer from Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, who previously owned a gym in St Albans.
On February 1, 2010, Marshall was jailed for life with a minimum sentence of 36 years for the murder of Jeffrey Howe, his landlord.
Marshall initially pleaded not guilty but changed his plea three weeks into the trial.
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Crime family links
St Albans crown court heard that Marshall had links to the notorious Adams crime family, where he allegedly gained experience in dismembering and disposing of bodies.
Jeffrey Howe was a British businessman, described as a "jovial, charming character" by his brother.
Marshall lived in Howe's lodgings from November 2008, joined by his girlfriend Sarah Bush.
The pair were asked to leave by the landlord but refused to do so.
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Howe was murdered on March 8, 2009 — he was stabbed twice in the back by Marshall.
Afterward, the pair used Howe's bank account and sold some of his belongings.
Body parts
Parts of Howe's body began showing up in March and April 2009.
A leg was found in Hertfordshire, followed by an arm in Wheathampstead and then a head in Leicestershire.
The other arm and leg were then found in different areas of Hertfordshire.
The investigation into the severed limbs was named Operation Abnet and consisted of around 100 police officers.
Police arrested Marshall and Bush at the flat in Southgate, north London on April 21, 2009.
How many people did Stephen Marshall kill?
Marshall has only been charged with the murder of Howe.
However, he has been linked to other murders.
Marshall admitted butchering the bodies of four other men while working as a doorman for a London nightclub run by gangsters in the 1990s.
Additionally, it emerged that he was arrested on suspicion of murdering Minesh Nagrecha, whose corpse was found disfigured and burnt by police in 1996.
Where is Stephen Marshall now?
Marshall received a sentence of life imprisonment with a minimum of 36 years and is currently behind bars.
He is ineligible for parole until 2046.
He appealed the length of his sentence in October 2010, which was denied by two Court of Appeal judges.
Killer at the Crime Scene
Killer at the Crime Scene is a British true crime documentary series that delves into forensic investigations surrounding infamous crimes.
The series showcases how forensic teams utilise cutting-edge techniques to solve complex criminal cases.
The show first premiered in 2021 and has received positive reviews for its insightful portrayal of real-life criminal investigations.
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The blurb for the episode featuring The Jigsaw Killer reads: “How light source technology and fibre analysis led to the conviction of murderer Stephen Marshall, who dismembered his victim and scattered the body parts across Hertfordshire.”
For viewers interested in catching up on this series, the episode of Killer at the Crime Scene Featuring Marshall is scheduled to air at 12.05 am on Channel 5 on Wednesday, November 20, 2024.