In December 1996, the Midlands was gripped by what looked like a "road rage" murder. Lee Harvey, 25, was stabbed to death on a quiet country lane. His fiancée, Tracie Andrews, bruised and battered, appeared before the cameras to describe a crazed stranger with "mad, starey eyes."
But the story began to fall apart. In this episode, forensic psychologist Kerry Daynes examines how Andrews built a seemingly perfect cover story, performed it for the nation, and was then found out.
In this episode
- The night of the attack, and the account Andrews gave police
- The extraordinary press conference, held just 36 hours after the murder
- The moment in front of the cameras that made one seasoned journalist think: "I think she did it"
- A volatile, on-off relationship, and what police and friends uncovered about it
- The witnesses, forensic evidence and physical clues that dismantled her story
- The trial at Birmingham Crown Court, the guilty verdict, and the confession that came only after her appeal failed
- Andrews's release in 2011 and her new life under a new identity
Kerry's psychological insights
- Did Andrews get "a little too comfortable" and forget to play the victim?
- Why Kerry thinks the press conference deserves a "Best Criminal Acting Performance" shortlist
- What Andrews's overdose might say about love, guilt and fear of exposure
- Why Kerry says her "self defence" claim doesn't stand up
- Why some couples should simply never be together
Featuring
- Kerry Daynes, forensic psychologist and presenter
- Ian Johnston, then Detective Superintendent with West Mercia Police and senior investigating officer on the case
- Rod Chaytor, former Midlands correspondent for the Daily Mirror
Some of the interviews were originally featured in the Warner Bros. Discovery series Faking It. To watch it, go to discoveryplus.com.
Content note: This episode deals with murder, domestic violence and a suicide attempt. Listener discretion is advised.
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Go deeper with Audible
If you enjoy exploring the psychology behind these cases, Audible has a huge selection of true crime books, including a couple of Kerry's own. Sign up for a free 30-day trial at theprofiler.co.uk/audible and help support the podcast in the process.
Stay in touch
- Website and weekly email: theprofiler.co.uk
- Follow Kerry Daynes on all social media platforms, or via her Substack, where she writes about the cases in even greater detail
- If you enjoy the show, please like, follow or subscribe, leave a five-star review, and share it with fellow true crime fans
The Profiler with Kerry Daynes is a Shearwater Media and Heromedia production.
Credits
• Presented by Kerry Daynes
• Produced by Shearwater Media and Heromedia Productions
• Executive producers: Jeff Anderson and Steve Anderson
• Editing and Music: Rob Warner
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