A man from Blackpool has confessed to killing his neighbour, chopping him up, and concealing his severed body parts in two different counties.
After killing Eddie Forrester on September 1st of this year, 65-year-old William Wilkinson concealed his body parts at several locations in Cumbria and Lancashire in the days that followed.
Eddie, a Scottish native, was reported missing on September 2 following an investigation that revealed he had not been seen since the day before.
At approximately 1:30 p.m., CCTV captured him strolling along Scotforth Road before he vanished. Eddie’s body was not found, and Wilkinson was taken into custody on suspicion of murder.
It’s believed Wilkinson shaved his beard and altered his hairstyle in an effort to hide his identity after disposing of his neighbor’s body. Pictures of a white Peugeot Boxer van that were allegedly related to the case made the rounds.
Human remains were discovered on September 16 in the Ashes Lane area of Staverley, close to Kendal. Police verified that Eddie was thought to be the owner of the body parts.
He entered a plea of guilty to murder and attempted to obstruct the course of justice by concealing Eddie’s body parts at locations in Cumbria and Lancashire when he appeared in the dock at Preston Crown Court. He was dressed in a red T-shirt, grey fleece, and full beard.
He responded to the accusations in a clear and quiet voice. Judge Robert Altham, the Preston Honorary Recorder, placed Wilkinson under remand and mandated that he appear in court in January to receive his sentence.
‘William Wilkinson’s plea today is in the face of overwhelming evidence against him,’ stated our Force Major Investigation’s DCI Mark Haworth-Oates.
‘Thank goodness, his plea will spare Edward Forrester’s family and friends the agony of having to endure a trial and hear the graphic details of his murder, including how his body was dismembered and scattered around Blackpool and Kendal. I hope they find some small solace in the guilty plea and look forward to the case being resolved at sentencing.”
