A security guard reviewing routine CCTV footage caught him in the act. Within weeks, police had connected him to two more murders — thanks in part to a phone he'd lost on a train.
Background
Stephen Griffiths was born in 1969 in West Yorkshire, England. He had a documented history of violent behavior from adolescence, including convictions for weapons offenses and an earlier assault, and later earned a psychology degree while pursuing graduate research on the history of homicide.
The Murders
Between 2009 and 2010, Griffiths killed three women — Suzanne Blamires, Shelley Armitage, and Susan Rushworth — in Bradford, England. He was caught after a security guard reviewing CCTV footage in his apartment building saw him attack and kill Blamires in a corridor. He had also recorded portions of at least one other murder on his phone, which police recovered after it was lost, found, and resold before eventually being traced back to him. Forensic evidence, including blood traces from all three victims, was found in his flat.
Arrest and Guilty Plea
Griffiths was arrested in May 2010 and pleaded guilty to three counts of murder at Leeds Crown Court. During police interviews, he claimed to have killed six women in total and made claims about eating parts of his victims; investigators found no forensic evidence to confirm the cannibalism claims and believed they may have been exaggerated for attention, though the claims received significant media coverage.
Sentencing
On December 21, 2010, Griffiths was sentenced to life imprisonment with a whole life order, meaning he is not eligible for parole. He has reportedly attempted suicide multiple times while in custody.
FAQ
How was Stephen Griffiths caught?
A security guard reviewing CCTV footage in his apartment building witnessed him attack a victim, leading to his arrest.
Did Stephen Griffiths actually practice cannibalism?
He claimed to during police interviews, but investigators found no forensic evidence to confirm it and believe the claims may have been exaggerated.
What sentence did Griffiths receive?
Life imprisonment with a whole life order, meaning he will never be eligible for parole.