News by email Donate

Suggestions

The-Secret-main_article_image.jpg
ITV
UK News

New drama The Secret covers Christian dentist who covered up double murder for 19 years

by Aaron James

Colin Howell was sentenced to a minimum of 21 years in prison in 2010 after admitting murdering his ex-wife Lesley and also Trevor Buchanan - a policeman who was the husband of his mistress Hazel Stewart.

In 2011 Howell also pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting nine women patients in his dental surgery over several years.

Mr Howell met Hazel Stewart at a Bible study at their local baptist church and was also a licensed lay preacher.

He placed the bodies of Lesley and Trevor together in a car full of carbon monoxide which led police to believe the pair died in a suicide pact.

Actor James Nesbitt will play Mr Howell in the ITV drama The Secret, which starts this on Friday at 9pm.

Hazel Stewart, who was having an affair with Mr Howell at the time of the murders in 1991, was also found guilty of murder and sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Colin Howell eventually admitted his past crimes to second wife Kyle Jorgensen, who he also met at a church, in 1998.

She told the Sunday Mirror: "I really looked up to him as a teacher. His biblical knowledge was amazing.

"He knew it all, but the faith I believe he's been living is really very hypocritical.

"Everyone thought he was this great Christian guy but they were so wrong. He was a monster."

News you can believe in. Stand with Premier Christian News today.

Your gift today ensures that Premier Christian News can press forward in strength, reaching more people with biblical truth and shaping the future of Christian thought. It’s more than just a donation—it’s an investment in renewed minds and transformed lives. 

Without continued support, the ability to create and distribute resources that strengthen faith and equip the church will be compromised. But with your help, we can grow deeper, stand firmer, and shine brighter in the culture.

Your support today is critical.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate