How could they dump Kerry’s body like a piece of trash?
THE family of a mum whose body was dumped ‘like rubbish’ by a callous couple who found her dead have spoken of their heartbreak.
Kerry Newman, 40, was discovered lifeless at a flat in Rochdale by ‘evil’ couple Melanie Bullen and Robert Halliwell.
They had been taking drugs together. The couple woke up to find her dead, before they moved her body, ‘dragging her face down through the mud’ and leaving her in an alley beside Ashfield Valley Primary School and the Sandbrook Retail Park.
After being left at around 2am, Kerry was later discovered partiallyclothed by a member of the public at 4.50am on July 17. Minshull Street Crown Court heard Bullen and Halliwell claimed they ‘panicked’ after finding Kerry dead on July 15.
They agreed to move her body the next day, bundling her into Halliwell’s car and driving half a mile before dragging her to the footpath in the early hours of July 17. The pair admitted perverting the course of justice and were jailed for two years apiece.
Kerry’s loved ones have now spoken in the wake of the harrowing court process. Cousin Sian Dunn told the Observer the family has ‘unresolved questions’ over Kerry’s death and have been left ‘exhausted, but not defeated’ by the police investigation.
They hope an inquest in front of a coroner will give them answers. Kerry, nicknamed Minnie by her loved ones due to her love of Minnie Mouse, was remembered as a ‘vibrant and beautiful’ mum with a smile that would ‘light up the room’.
“It’s been so difficult,” Sian said.
“We have a list of unresolved questions to take to coroners’ court. We are confused as to why they would dump her body like they did. It was odd how they handled it. They were so calculated as a pair.
“Taking the time to plan moving her body is just awful. It didn’t feel like panic to us. The removal of her body to then dump her near a school, face down, shows total hatred and contempt towards her. She’s a human being. I wouldn’t even drag my bin bags like that.
“She struggled with addiction and had been in and out of rehab, but was still always in contact with her family.
“It’s important for us to show that she was loved.”
Cousin Debbie Simms added: “The sentence was not one we expected. Two years is an injustice. In a year, they will be out walking the streets [on licence].
“We will never see our Minnie again.
“It is absolutely heartbreaking to know we will never see that beautiful smile that would light up a room - or hear her laughter again.” Bullen and Halliwell were rumbled by detectives after being spotted on CCTV near to primary school where they dumped Kerry.
They were traced back to Halliwell’s flat on Rochdale’s Freehold estate.
Kerry’ body was discovered at around 4.50am on July 17 by a man walking home from the gym. He said he ‘wasn’t sure if it was a person or a mannequin’, but had the ‘good sense’ to flag a delivery driver who was going into the school. Both checked and the grim reality become clear.
Halliwell and Bullen were arrested, initially on suspicion of murder. Both tried to take drugs after they were cautioned, before Bullen told officers: “She OD’D, mate.” She insisted they tried to help Kerry.
A post mortem was carried out the same day, but the cause of Kerry’s cause
‘We are confused as to why they would dump her body like they did’
of death could not be ascertained. There were a number of bruises to her body. Samples were then taken to allow for a toxicology report.
Forensic pathologist Dr Charles Wilson carried out a further examination. He has since confirmed that Kerry’s cause of death was ‘aspiration pneumonia due to multiple drug toxicity including heroin, cocaine, temazepam and duloxetine’. Police are no longer treating her death as suspicious.
In an emotional statement in court, Kerry’s mother Julie said: “I am the proud mother of Kerry Newman who was taken away by a horrible, evil pair.
“I want to know who on earth would move a body to a different location, a primary school, and dump it like some old rubbish.
“Normal people would call an ambulance - these individuals clearly have something to hide.
“I’ll never be able to see my baby girl again, hear her voice... laugh like we used to.
“She was my only child. “While this pair blow kisses to each other across the court, I cry myself to sleep at night.
“I do not have an answer and may never have one.
“I will never get over this, it gets harder everyday.”
Following Kerry’s death, Julie and stepdad Steve
told the Observer: “It’s an incredible loss to lose our beautiful daughter. She will remain in our hearts forever. She was full of life, a cheeky character, a ball of fire. Nothing will replace her, we will love her always.”
Her devastated grandparents Maria and Leonard Dunn added: “We are devastated that our granddaughter Kerry’s life has been taken so soon, we pray that she’ll rest in peace. We will love her until the end of time.”
Cousin Maria Dunn said: “It’s hard to express how shocked and saddened I am at the loss of my beautiful cousin. Minnie your light was too bright for this world.
“Wherever you are, keep shining on. We love you.”
Halliwell, 48, of Olney; and Bullen, 53, of Shirburn, were jailed for two years. Judge Tina Landale told them: “What happened to Kerry Newman may never be known. You two have caused misery and serious distress to Kerry Newman’s mother, Julie. You caused indignity and degradation to her.
“You contributed significantly to the delay in the investigation. It is clear the offences caused a serious affront to the public standard of decency.”
A coronial investigation continues. An inquest is due to be held in February at Rochdale Coroner’s Court.