Rachel Nickell murder case: Top 5 things you need to know about the tragic 1992 Wimbledon Common killing
- The crime: On July 15, 1992, Rachel Nickell, a 23-year-old mother, was brutally stabbed 49 times and sexually assaulted while walking on Wimbledon Common in London with her two-year-old son, Alexander.
- The prime suspect: Colin Stagg was wrongly accused and spent 13 months in prison before being acquitted in 1994, after a controversial "honey trap" operation by police failed to secure a conviction.
- The real killer: In 2008, Robert Napper, a paranoid schizophrenic with a history of violent attacks, was finally imprisoned for the murder, after DNA evidence linked him to the crime scene.
- The aftermath: The case triggered major changes in UK policing, including the end of "honey trap" sting operations and stricter rules for dealing with vulnerable mental health defendants like Napper.
- The lasting impact: Rachel Nickell's death still haunts British society, with recent documentaries and true crime podcasts keeping her memory alive, while her son Alexander, now an adult, has spoken about his quest for closure.