Wrongly Accused: The Joanna Yates Murder – Media Frenzy, Misjudgment & the Hunt for a Killer

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In this gripping episode of True Criminals, hosts Martin Brunt and Helen Fospero revisit one of the most chilling and controversial murder cases in recent British history — the 2010 killing of Joanna Yates, a 25-year-old landscape architect whose disappearance just before Christmas shocked the nation.

Join Martin, who covered the case live for Sky News, as he recounts the intense missing persons search, the tragic discovery of Joanna’s body on Christmas Day, and the high-pressure investigation that followed.

The episode explores how police initially focused on Joanna’s boyfriend, Greg Reardon, before wrongly arresting her eccentric landlord, Christopher Jefferies — a man vilified by the press before being entirely exonerated. Martin and Helen examine how trial by media distorted the investigation and led to a landmark moment in UK media law, resulting in substantial damages and a national conversation about press ethics and journalistic responsibility.

Listeners will also uncover how detectives eventually exposed the shocking truth: the real killer, Vincent Tabak, a Dutch engineer living next door. The hosts break down the forensic breakthroughs, disturbing online searches, and Tabak’s abrupt change of plea that shocked the courtroom.

This is a powerful story of misjudgment, media misconduct, and a community shaken by tragedy — a must-listen for fans of true crime, wrongful accusation cases, and criminal justice reporting.