Bodies in garden: Cousins of Dagenham woman who murdered her parents speak out
Bill Wycherley, whose daughter Susan has been found guilty of his murder (pic: Nottinghamshire Police) - Credit: Archant
The cousins of Dagenham murderer Susan Edwards, who was today found guilty of killing her parents with the aid of her husband, have told of the “terrible ordeal” they faced.
William 'Bill' Wycherley as a young man. No photos have been found of his murdered wife Patricia (pic: Nottinghamshire Police) - Credit: Archant
William Wycherley’s nieces Hilary Rose and Christine Harford said in a statement: “We didn’t know William, our mother’s youngest brother, at all well.
“We have built a picture of him in our minds based on what she’d told us and photographs we had seen.
“Sadly, mum died in 2009. Had she been alive now, she would have been horrified by these brutal murders, and the callous treatment of the bodies afterwards.
“It would have been extremely upsetting for her to discover the deception and lies practised by her niece – our cousin – Susan and her husband Christopher against her and others for so long, for their own selfish greed and gain.
BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE Undated handout photo issued by Nottinghamshire Police of Susan Edwards, 56, who along with her husband Christopher Edwards, 58, are alleged to have shot dead William and Patricia Wycherley, the parents of Susan Edwards, and buried them in the back garden of their home on Blenheim Close, Mansfield, between May 1 and 5, 1998. - Credit: Press Association Images
“We would like to thank everyone who helped to bring them to justice. In particular, we’d like to acknowledge the police, prosecution barristers, and the jury for their determination and hard work to get to the truth. Also, to the forensic and gun experts whose expertise helped to destroy their web of lies.
“We’d also like to offer a special thanks to the people at Victim Support, for supporting us before, through and after the trial. We had not heard of this charity before now but have learned first hand the important nature of their work.
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“We are private people and have found it difficult to have our family thrust into the public eye in such a way. We have felt powerless throughout this terrible ordeal but, while we cannot change what has happened, there is one thing we can do – we can officially acknowledge William and Patricia’s deaths.
“Our main priority now is to see that they are finally laid to rest with dignity.”
