The Murders of Elizabeth and Katie Edwards
For this case, I watched an episode of Vengeance Killer Families. It’s season 1 episode 5, titled ‘Sinister Sibling.’
A 49-year-old single mother, and her 13-year-old daughter are killed in their home.
Background
Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Edwards lived in the small town of Spalding, Lincolnshire, England, about 2 hours from London. Liz lived with her two daughters, Katie and Kim, and had an older child who wasn’t living in the house at the time.
Liz had been married twice, but her second marriage didn’t end in the best way. After her second divorce, Liz met a man named Graham Green. Graham worked on a ship, and often stayed at Liz’s when he could. They were constantly in contact, so when Liz didn’t answer in April 2016, he became concerned.
The Crime Scene
On April 14, 2016, Kim Edwards, 14, and her boyfriend, Lucas Markham, also 14, were reported missing.
Kim and Lucas hadn’t shown up for school. The school tried to contact both of their families, but there was no answer. They eventually did get into contact with Lucas’ family, but they weren’t overly concerned. According to them, Lucas and Kim had ran away together just months earlier, but returned after 5 days in the woods.
The Lincolnshire police did go to the Edwards’ home. They learned that Elizabeth hadn't shown up for work, and Katie hadn’t been at school that day. Graham had also been trying to get into contact with Elizabeth all day but there was no answer.
On April 15, the Lincolnshire police went back to the home. They were allowed to make entry into the home. Inside, they found Elizabeth and Katie in their upstairs bedrooms. They had both been stabbed and suffocated with a pillow.
Elizabeth and Katie Edwards
The Unlikely Suspects
While the police were in the home, they heard what sounded like a TV. When they walked to the basement, they found Lucas Markham, Kim Edwards, and a dog that Graham had given to Elizabeth.
Lucas and Kim
Graham also arrived at the Edwards’ home, and was the one who identified the bodies. He was interviewed in this episode, and said he just had a cold shiver when he arrived at the house, and knew something was very wrong.
Elizabeth and Katie had both been stabbed in the neck. Elizabeth had tried to fight back, but Katie had most likely been asleep when she was attacked. They both had been smothered with a pillow, and Katie’s head was still covered by one.
In Katie’s bedroom, which she shared with her sister, Kim, the police found a note. The note had been written by Lucas and Kim, and it was a shared suicide note. They spoke about how they wanted to be cremated and have their ashes scattered.
Lucas’ backpack was also found in the room. Inside, the police found knives and bloody clothing. There was also a bloody knife found in the room that had been left out.
Kim and Lucas were both arrested and brought into the police station.
The Confessions
Lucas refused to talk, but Kim was described as very chatty, matter of fact, but had no remorse.
Kim told the police that Lucas had been the one to stab both Elizabeth and Katie. Kim said when Lucas was stabbing her mom, she thought she heard her say, “get off me.”
Kim said their plan was for her to kill her sister, but she couldn’t do it. The police asked Kim why she had planned to kill them. Kim said she and her mom hadn’t gotten along since she was punched by her mom at an early age. Elizabeth had felt so bad after this incident, that she called social services. Kim and Katie had spent about 6 months in foster care. Kim also spoke about her jealousy over Elizabeth and Katie's relationship.
Lucas agreed to speak to the police after he learned that Kim was speaking. Lucas admitted that they had started to plan the murders at McDonald’s. Lucas said he wanted to kill her mom and sister, and that Kim agreed.
The plan was for them to commit the murders on April 11. Kim had told Lucas to bring knives in his backpack, and walk over to her house. Lucas was to knock on the window twice when he arrived. On April 11 and 12, Lucas walked over with the knives, and knocked on the window. Kim claimed she had fallen asleep, but finally let him inside on April 13, 2016.
Lucas said Kim had backed out at the last minute, and hid in the bathroom while he stabbed and smothered Elizabeth and Katie. Lucas did say that Kim had walked into her mom’s room during the last moments of her life. Lucas also said that Elizabeth died faster than Katie. They had planned to stab them in the voice box, so that they couldn’t scream. During her confession, Kim admitted that she was glad that the murders happened so fast, so that they didn’t suffer.
After the murders, Lucas and Kim took a bath together, and dragged a mattress into the basement. Over the next 36 hours, they had sex, ate ice cream and watched the Twilight movies.
The Convictions
On April 17, 2016, Kim Edwards and Lucas Markham were both charged with two counts of murder.
On April 18, they both appeared in Lincoln Crown Court. The trial was set for October 2016. While they appeared in court, Lucas and Kim would smile at each other.
Before his trial, Lucas pled guilty, and Kim took this as a sign of betrayal.
Kim also tried to plead guilty, but she tried to plead guilty to manslaughter due to diminished capacity. Kim said she had a mental illness at the time, and that Lucas was controlling her during the murders.
During her trial, Kim’s confession was played. The jury heard that Kim had never shown remorse. The prosecution said Kim was the mastermind, and manipulated Lucas into committing these murders for her.
Kim’s defense said she was suffering from a disorder that resulted from the relationship she had with her mom.
On October 11, the jury deliberated for 5 hours. Kim was found guilty of both murders.
Both Kim and Lucas were sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 20 years.
They are known as the youngest double murderers in UK history.
Kim and Lucas’ mugshots
Other
Lucas and Kim both filed appeals. In 2017, the court ruled that they would be eligible for parole after 17 1/2 years. There is a possibility that they could be released at the age of 32.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I would be very afraid if Lucas and Kim were released anytime soon. I don’t even live in England, but if they are capable of murdering family members, they could be capable of hurting someone again. I do believe they were both masterminds. They both had somewhat of a troubled childhood, which is not an excuse. Two toxic people found each other, and sadly a mother and her daughter were killed for no reason.
Sources
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-37648194
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-37907410
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9186604/britain-youngest-double-killers-kim-edwards-inspired/
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/11320586/kids-who-kill-twilight-kim-edwards-lucas-markham/
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/sick-explanation-teen-twilight-killer-21848158
