Chris Hemmings Confesses to Ex-Partner's Murder in 999 Call
Cheryl McKenna's daughter present during fatal incident amid escalating domestic tensions and jealousy.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Callum Smith
Chris Hemmings called 999 to report that he had stabbed his ex-partner, Cheryl McKenna, to death, a call later aired on the BBC documentary series "Murder 24/7."
Tensions within Cheryl McKenna's household had escalated for two years, her daughter confirmed. Arguments over money, the relationship's breakdown, and Andrew Hemmings' jealousy over Cheryl McKenna's new partner defined this period of intense domestic strife.
Andrew Hemmings told Cheryl McKenna's daughter he felt like killing Cheryl McKenna.
The prosecution's narrative suggested Andrew Hemmings found messages on Cheryl McKenna's phone from a new lover, a discovery that reportedly triggered the fatal attack.
Det Chief Insp Gareth Lougher claimed the attack on Cheryl McKenna aimed to kill her. Hemmings realized their relationship had ended and could not bear to see her happy with someone else, Lougher asserted.
Andrew Hemmings changed his plea to guilty halfway through the trial.
The discovery of a tracking device added a layer of premeditation to the narrative, evidence that starkly contrasted with the immediate trigger of discovering new messages.
The daughter's account of two years of rising tensions, including financial disputes and Andrew Hemmings' jealousy, painted a vivid picture of a relationship in severe decline. These long-standing issues, coupled with the alleged discovery of a new partner, culminated in the tragic event.
The legal shift to a guilty plea by Andrew Hemmings underscored the overwhelming weight of the evidence presented. His own initial 999 call formed a crucial part of this damning evidence.
The presence of Cheryl McKenna's daughter during the incident highlighted the profound and lasting impact of domestic violence on families. This proximity to violence leaves indelible scars.
This case brings into sharp focus the complex interplay of relationship breakdown, jealousy, and alleged premeditation in domestic homicides. The narrative from Cheryl McKenna's daughter regarding Andrew Hemmings' prior statement about feeling like killing Cheryl McKenna suggested a dark, obsessive undercurrent to their relationship.
Det Chief Insp Gareth Lougher indicated that The attack on Cheryl McKenna aimed to kill her. Hemmings realized their relationship had ended and could not bear to see her happy with someone else.
This chilling claim, alongside the discovery of the tracking device, pointed to a pattern of obsessive behavior preceding the murder. The prosecution focused on the discovery of messages from a new lover as a direct catalyst, offering a specific, immediate trigger for the violence.
However, this immediate trigger was set against a backdrop of prolonged domestic strife and Andrew Hemmings' reported jealousy. Cheryl McKenna's daughter meticulously described these long-standing issues, revealing a history of escalating conflict.