Superintendent Ann Marie Twomey, who assumed leadership of the Tina Satchwell disappearance case in August 2021, testified in court that she couldn’t explain why a detailed search of the victim’s Youghal home didn’t occur until over six years after the Cork woman vanished in March 2017.
Satchwell’s husband, Richard, initially claimed she left voluntarily. Her remains were found beneath the stairs in October 2023. Twomey stated she suspected foul play by early 2022 and deemed Richard Satchwell’s arrest necessary by August of that year. She pursued fresh leads and secured a warrant for an invasive home search in October 2023, uncovering Tina’s remains.
The court heard evidence of suspicious internet activity, including searches for quicklime and videos on decomposition methods. Financial investigations revealed ongoing scams involving exotic monkeys, straining the couple’s finances. Location and digital data contradicted Richard’s account of his whereabouts.
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Despite a previous 2017 search, Twomey emphasised it was non-intrusive and lacked detail. Emails and texts revealed tensions over financial matters and the monkey scheme, which appeared fraudulent.
The court also learned that the Satchwells’ alleged savings of €26,000 were not supported by their financial history. Richard Satchwell has pleaded not guilty to murder.
