Loading summary
Transcript61 lines
- [00:00]
Vanessa Richardson
Foreign. This is Crime House. We all have secrets. Sweet ones, sad ones, dark ones, and everything in between. It's human nature. We want to protect things that are meaningful to us or avoid judgment by the outside world. And sometimes, the more we hide these parts of ourselves, the better we get at concealing them. That's what happened in the case of Steve Wright. Steve was a quiet, shy kid, and he grew into a husband, father and barkeeper who loved playing golf. But this carefully constructed facade hid Steve's deepest, darkest secret. His true identity. In reality, Steve was a dangerous predator, One who was willing to kill in order to indulge his deepest fantasies. The human mind is powerful. It shapes how we think, feel, love and hate. But sometimes it drives people to commit the unthinkable. This is Killer Minds, a Crime House original. I'm Vanessa Richardson.
- [01:30]
Dr. Tristan Engels
And I'm Dr. Tristan Engels. Every Monday and Thursday, we uncover the darkest minds in history, analyzing what makes.
- [01:38]
Vanessa Richardson
A killer Crime House is made possible by you. Please rate, review and follow Killer Minds to enhance your listening experience with ad. Free early access to each two part series and bonus content. Subscribe to Crime House plus on Apple Podcasts. A warning. This episode contains depictions of childhood physical assault, sexual assault and murder. Listener discretion is advised. Today we begin our deep dive on Steve Wright. To those who knew him, he appeared to be a shy, docile coworker and neighbor. But behind his meek Persona, Steve was a dangerous killer. His crimes throughout England's Suffolk county were so prolific, he became known as the Suffolk Strangler.
- [02:26]
Dr. Tristan Engels
As Vanessa goes through the story, I'll be talking about things like the lingering and dangerous effects of childhood trauma and abuse, how addiction can manifest in various ways and the residual harm it can cause, and the psychology of someone who treats human beings as prey.
- [02:42]
Vanessa Richardson
And as always, we'll be asking the question, what makes a killer?
- [02:50]
Lemonade Pet Insurance Advertiser
Just got a new puppy or kitten? Congrats. But also, yikes. Between crates, beds, toys, treats, and those first few vet visits, you've probably already dropped a small fortune. Which is where Lemonade pet insurance comes in. It helps cover vet costs so you can focus on what's best for your new pet. The coverage is customizable, sign up is quick and easy, and your claims are handled in as little as three seconds. Lemonade offers a package specifically for puppies and kittens. Get a'llemonade.com pet your future self will thank you. Your pet won't. They don't know what insurance is.
- [03:24]
Kristen Bell
Hi, I'm Kristen Bell, and if you know my husband, Dax, then you Also know he loves shopping for a car. Selling a car, not so much.
- [03:31]
Dennis Cooper
We're really doing this, huh?
- [03:33]
Kristen Bell
Thankfully, Carvana makes it easy. Answer a few questions, put in your van or license and done. We sold ours in minutes this morning and they'll come pick it up and pay us this afternoon.
- [03:44]
Vanessa Richardson
Goodbye, Truckee.
- [03:45]
Kristen Bell
Of course, we kept the favorite.
- [03:48]
Vanessa Richardson
Hello, other Truckee.
- [03:50]
Kristen Bell
Sell your car with Carvana today. Terms and conditions apply.
- [03:57]
Vanessa Richardson
Like many killers we cover on this show, Steve Wright's early life was marked by instability. He was born in April 1958, the second of four children. His father, Conrad, was a British military policeman, and his mother, Patricia, was a veterinary nurse. Because of his father's career, Steve moved around a lot as a kid, living all around the UK and in countries like Cyprus, Malta and Singapore. But eventually they settled in Norfolk, England. The area was full of simple, classic Tudor homes with a beautiful river that snaked through town. But despite the idyllic surroundings, Steve's home life was full of trauma. His father was a violent, angry person and ran the house like a military base, including the use of physical beatings as discipline. This was standard fare for the Wright family. Conrad's own father had beaten him as a child as well. And Conrad's physical abuse wasn't just reserved for his children. He'd often take out his anger on Patricia, too, with Steve and his siblings, who forced to watch. In 1964, when Steve was only six years old, Conrad's abuse reached a horrific escalation. One night, he became so violent that he nearly beat Patricia to death. This incident seemed to be her last straw. Within the year, she left the family and fled to America, leaving her children behind in England with their father. Steve had no way of contacting his mother, and it didn't seem like she reached out. Instead, he remained in his house of horrors now without Patricia wondering why she had abandoned him.
- [05:45]
Dr. Tristan Engels
Witnessing violence at a young age, especially when it's as intense as this, creates something called toxic stress, which is a prolonged and intense activation of the body's stress response. This kind of stress can alter the brain's development, particularly areas involved in emotional regulation and impulse control. Children in these environments often struggle with feelings of helplessness and powerlessness. And over time, this can develop into anxiety, depression, or other mood disorders. The trauma can impact relationships, self worth, and even cognitive functioning. On top of that, there's his mother's abandonment. And for a child, parental attachment is fundamental. Children rely on their caregivers to provide safety, stability, affection, nurturance. Abandoning a child to an abusive situation is emotionally devastating. Being left in an environment that he should have been protected from can absolutely reinforce negative core beliefs regarding worthiness of love or protection. That often creates unresolved anger, fear and confusion. This can cause attachment trauma, which could result in mistrust of others and difficulty forming secure attachments as an adult, especially when you consider that his mother may have been one of the few stable connections he had. And to make matters worse, the combination of violent exposure and abandonment can push a person toward malady. Adaptive Coping Mechanisms it's not uncommon for individuals to develop tendencies toward aggression, distrust or detachment as a way of surviving the emotional chaos that they grew up with. And sadly, without intervention, this can perpetuate a cycle of violence or dysfunction where individuals either repeat the trauma or they struggle with the effects of it. And given that this is killer minds and we know who he will become, his upbringing likely set the stage for deep emotional struggles that affected his behavior, relationships, and overall life trajectory.
- [07:39]
Vanessa Richardson
Do children of abusive households typically repeat the pattern of continuing that cycle as adults? And how could someone stop the cycle if they see themselves repeating these patterns that they've seen?
- [07:51]
Dr. Tristan Engels
Yeah, I'm glad you asked this because I will repeat this every time. It is a myth that all abused children go on to abuse others. There are millions of children who are raised in abusive households who never go on to harm another. In fact, they become more protective of others. That being said, abusive behavior is learned behavior. So it is also true that abusers often were once abused themselves. Children of abusive households are at a much higher risk of repeating the cycle of violence as a result of learning that behavior. They can be inadvertently taught that violence, manipulation or emotional neglect is an acceptable way to deal with conflict or communicate or even show love. Some are taught that anger is the only acceptable emotion to express, so when they get older they may unconsciously replicate that same dynamic, especially if there is no intervention. Now to your next question. How can someone stop the cycle? Obviously, therapy is an important intervention. Therapy can teach individuals to reframe their beliefs about relationships, break negative patterns and heal those emotional wounds. Trauma therapy can help a person process the abuse they experienced in childhood and help them to let go of harmful beliefs. Developing healthy boundaries is also important because in abusive households, boundaries are often non existent and boundaries should include learning not to tolerate disrespect or manipulation. Recogniz or when something is unhealthy, just knowing it's there before it escalates. Building self worth and security. Learning emotional regulation and conflict resolution skills are also very important in breaking the cycle.
- [09:29]
Vanessa Richardson
Do you think that a child whose mother left them could grow up to have resentment toward women?
- [09:34]
Dr. Tristan Engels
Absolutely, though of course not in every case. But the mother child bond is typically one of the first and most significant attachments a child forms, and I've already outlined the impacts that an abandonment like that can have. But that being said, betrayal and anger are often the emotion, if there is one that is projected onto women as they grow older because of their insecure attachment, or they are engaging in relational reenactment.
- [10:02]
Vanessa Richardson
Steve definitely struggled after his mother's departure. Once he entered school, he became shy and withdrawn and things didn't get any easier as he reached his teen years. Apparently he began acting out, though it's not clear how. Finally, in 1974, at the age of 16, Steve dropped out of school. He just didn't see the point of it. But whatever Steve hoped to get out of his departure, he didn't seem to find it. Without the structure of his classes, he was even more aimless. Without any tangible interests or drive of his own, he decided to get as far from his father as possible. Steve enlisted in the Merchant Navy, which is a civilian organization encompassing commercial ships. The work wasn't easy, but it helped him get away from his abusive father. This freedom and space was important to Steve, and he hoped to never return to Norfolk again. But a few years into his enlistment, he found at least one reason to stay connected to the UK. In 1978, when Steve was 20, he met an 18 year old girl named Angela O'. Donovan. While he was stationed in Wales, the two had a quick, passionate relationship. They quickly got married and had a child, a son named Michael. However, the relationship wasn't meant to be. Steve and Angela split up shortly after and he returned to his life overseas. Left to his own devices, Steve found new ways to make connections, but not in the healthiest way. At some point in the early early 1980s, the ship Steve was stationed on stopped in Thailand. While there, Steve was introduced to his new great obsession, sex workers.
- [11:50]
Dr. Tristan Engels
There are obvious cultural and situational factors that could have led to his interest in sex workers, such as societal norms around masculinity and sexuality, in addition to access and opportunity. Not to mention, this could have been legal in that country, which is something that would normalize this. But we also need to consider how his child could have contributed to his attraction to sex work. Many individuals with secure attachment styles seek out relationships that can fill the void, but don't necessarily require emotional vulnerability. And this is where sex work likely came into play for Steve. Obviously, not everyone will gravitate towards that. But the transactional nature of sex work might feel safer to Steve because it offers physical closeness without the emotional risk. It's a way to get the validation and intimacy he craves, but without the fear of emotional rejection. Also, there's the element of control. For many children of abuse, there's a need to feel powerful and in control, especially after feeling helpless or powerless for so long. And in a world where Steve couldn't control his mother, leaving, or the abuse that he was receiving from his father, sex work might have allowed him to feel powerful, assertive, desired, and even in charge. And there are a number of reasons why he would have been attracted to this. It's really no telling which specific one, or it could have been a combination.
- [13:16]
Vanessa Richardson
Well, sex workers weren't the only women Steve showed interest in during this time. While he was stationed on a ship called the QE2, he started dating a woman named Diane Castle. But he wasn't exactly a good partner. Along with continuing to hire sex workers and sleep with other women, Steve was reportedly overbearing, jealousy and violent. According to Diane, he once hit her in the face when she stayed out later than he wanted her to. But throughout it all, Diane stayed with him. And in August 1987, 29 year old Steve and 32 year old Diane got married. By then, they'd both left the QE2 and had settled back in the UK in the city of Norwich, about 30 miles east of Steve's hometown of Norfolk. But Steve didn't marry Diane for love. He wanted to become the landlord of a pub below their apartment. And to do that, he had to be married. Considering the circumstances, it's no surprise that Steve's second marriage was just as unsuccessful as his first one. He kept cheating on Diane and hiring sex workers, locking her in their apartment at night while he went out out. Steve could apparently go from calm to an all out rage in just moments. And their arguments were so forceful that neighbors could hear their fights through the walls. Some witnesses even saw Steve grab for Diane's throat on multiple occasions.
- [14:45]
Dr. Tristan Engels
Children who witness or experience abuse can subsequently model those behaviors in adulthood. This is known as social learning theory, which suggests that individuals learn behaviors through observation and imitation, especially from authority figures like parents. And that's why I said abus behavior is a learned behavior. Locking Diane away is another form of control and domination. It's a method of isolation designed to instill fear and maintain obedience. This behavior mirrors a pattern of emotional manipulation and coercion, which Steve likely observed from his father's behavior toward his mother, Patricia. The difference, though, is that Patricia managed to escape something that may have further fueled Steve's fear of abandonment. So locking Diane in a room could very well be Steve's way of preventing the escape his mother succeeded in doing. While Steve may not have consciously set out to replicate his father's violence, his upbringing provided no intervention or support to break the cycle. He dropped out of school. He's been living without healthy resources or boundaries or guidance. And as a result, these abusive behaviors can become deeply ingrained and likely became his default coping mechanism for managing his relationship dynamics. He's unfortunately repeating the cycle of violence.
- [16:04]
Vanessa Richardson
Thankfully for Diane, the marriage didn't last long. They divorced after less than a year when Steve left her for another woman. Meanwhile, Steve's friends had no idea what he was capable of. One of them described him as, quote, a nice guy with a good sense of humor. But this friend also noted that Steve was more interested in sex and women than the average person. For example, when the two went on a trip together, Steve met a girl and promptly took her underwear shopping. Meanwhile, he also continued to secretly hire sex workers. But Steve was still seeking a dedicated relationship. And in the early 90s, he met Sarah Whiteley, a waitress at another pub he was running. They ended up having a daughter together in 1992. But just like all his other relationships. Relationships, it wasn't meant to be. The couple split up later that year. It seemed like the breakup with Sarah affected Steve more than the others had. Over the course of the next year, he spiraled into drinking and gambling. Soon he had racked up massive debts all over town, including at a local racetrack, betting on horses. But while Steve was falling deep into the cracks of his new new life, he had a surprise encounter with his old one. Around Christmas in 1992, his mother, Patricia, came to visit him from America. And it wasn't long before she realized that the sweet boy she left behind had become something unrecognizable.
- [17:47]
Mint Mobile Advertiser
When did making plans get this complicated? It's time to streamline with WhatsApp, the secure messaging app that brings the whole group together. Use polls to settle dinner plans. Send event invites and pin messages so no one forgets mom's 60th. And never miss a meme or milestone. All protected with end to end encryption. It's time for WhatsApp message privately with everyone.
- [18:10]
Eli Roth
Learn more@WhatsApp.com In 1988, a small new Jersey town is shaken by horror. A devoted mother murdered. Satanic symbols scattered throughout her home and her teenage son vanish without a trace. Was this a demonic ritual or a calculated act of evil? Horror master Eli Roth unravels a terrifying truth in Let the Devil in now stream streaming new episodes Sundays exclusively on MGM.
- [18:43]
Vanessa Richardson
In December 1992, 34 year old Steve Wright received an unexpected visit from his estranged mother, Patricia. It was their first time seeing one another in 26 years. At first the visit was pleasant, if a bit awkward. But things took a turn when Patricia went home for the night. After she left, Steve started drinking heavily and called her repeatedly. When she didn't answer, he left her vicious profanity laced voicemails. When Patricia heard these messages, she was shocked. The last time she saw Steve, she remembered a shy and quiet boy. This rage filled man was a total stranger. Patricia eventually returned to America and it doesn't seem like the two ever spoke again.
- [19:33]
Dr. Tristan Engels
Steve is good at presenting a version of himself that seems well adjusted and in control. And this facade helped him obtain social and romantic relationships. His friends even have no idea about his internal struggles or his true core because he does not need to be as emotionally invested in those relationships. His romantic relationships have all failed so far because that facade is not sustainable in emotionally vulnerable relationships. Steve obviously has a lot of unresolved feelings that he wanted to express to Patricia, so why not during the visit? For someone like Steve who has abandonment trauma or childhood abuse, confronting her in person with those painful emotions would have threatened his facade of control and composure. But watching her leave again, knowing she was going back to America, might have re triggered that abandonment. So he turned to drinking, which is an established maladaptive coping mechanism that he clearly has. And the problem is alcohol suppresses emotional defenses and impairs judgment and reason. Once he started drinking, he lost composure and left voicemails that really showcased his unresolved anger, betrayal and resentment toward her. And these behaviors are not isolated to his relationship with his mother, Patricia. His anger, emotional detachment and destructive behaviors has been consistent in his romantic relationships. He was explosive and abusive toward all of his partners that we know of. And without any intervention, again, any kind of treatment, none of that happens. These patterns of behavior toward women will continue to escalate.
- [21:07]
Vanessa Richardson
Well, one thing's for sure. Patricia's brief reappearance in Steve's life didn't help stabilize him. By 1994, the 36 year old had racked up over £30,000 worth of debt, which would be in the neighborhood of a hundred thousand dollars in today's US currency. Some of it was from gambling, but he'd also taken out loans that he had had no way of paying back. It got so bad, Steve had to officially declare bankruptcy. Whatever functional facade Steve had built began to slip. Although he already didn't have good relationships with his ex partners and his children, at this point, he completely lost contact with them. He became increasingly unreliable and eventually he also became unemployed. By the mid-90s, Steve had no support system. His mental health suffered as a result and he made a suicide attempt. But someone found him before he died and he was taken to a hospital. Afterwards, Steve continued to spiral. He was already volatile and bitter about his lot in life and it wasn't long before he may have vented that anger in the most terrifying way possible. In September 1999, 17 year old Victoria hall was walking home from a nightclub club. It was early in the morning around 2:20am and Victoria was almost back when she ran into 41 year old Steve Wright. It's not clear what happened next, but Victoria never made it home that night. When her parents woke up the next morning and realized their daughter wasn't there, they called the police. A missing persons case was opened and five days later a dog walker found Victoria's body. She was about 25 miles away in a ditch beside a field. It doesn't seem like Steve was a suspect, but he wasn't planning on sticking around the UK. Shortly after Victoria's murder, he spent 10 weeks in Thailand. But he eventually returned to England, possibly because he ran out of money. And when he did, Steve once again fell into a depression. In the year 2000, at 42 years old, he attempted suicide for a second time. Once again, Steve survived and was forced to face his troubles. His bankruptcy had cleared his prior debt, but he generated a new pile of it from his travels in Thailand. By 2001, his new debt had once again ballooned to today's equivalent of about $135,000. 43 year old Steve became desperate for cash. He managed to find another job as a bartender at a hotel. But his meager salary wasn't enough to pay off his debts or afford his lifestyle. As the year went on, Steve spent most of his paychecks on sex workers and also began secretly sneaking money out from the register to make ends meet. For months, Steve siphoned off hundreds of pounds this way until at some point in 2002, he finally got caught and was fired. His employer also pressed charges and the courts ultimately slapped Steve with an order for a hundred hours of community service. As part of his processing, authorities took Steve's fingerprints and got a DNA sample as well. For Steve, this whole ordeal made him even more frustrated with his life. He couldn't hold a job, he couldn't pay for sex workers, and now he was a convicted criminal. But instead of talking to someone about his feelings, Steve buried them even deeper.
- [24:53]
Dr. Tristan Engels
This situation is becoming increasingly concerning. Steve doesn't have any healthy coping mechanisms, and right now, he can't really even afford the maladaptive ones he's been using, like turning to sex, work or alcohol. And for someone like him who's built up a facade of control, his life was completely out of control right now. And that's an extremely dangerous place to be for someone like him. The fact that he's not seeking help despite clearly needing it is a major warning sign. When emotions are suppressed, they build up like toxic pressure with nowhere to go. And this is likely what led to Steve's suicide attempts. He's feeling hopeless and wants to escape the emotional pain, almost as if to him, ending his life would give him some control over it. But here we are, the pressure just continues to build and he's likely to going to turn to other destructive ways to release it. And what makes this so concerning is that suppressing emotions creates a downward spiral. And for Steve, the only remaining options for him seem to be either destructive self soothing behaviors, which he's already been doing, or acting out in ways that could harm others. And given that he's already shown violent tendencies, it's more likely that this will escalate rather than subside without intervention. And this isn't just a cry for help. It's a serious pattern that could result in even more harm to those around him.
- [26:19]
Vanessa Richardson
Even though Steve was seemingly at a very low point in his life, he soon managed to find a bright spot. Sometime in 2001, he met a woman named Pamela at a bingo hall. Steve was working there at the time, and Pamela came in often to play. The two hit it off and in 2004, they moved in together. Two years after that, in 2006, they got a home in Ipswich, close to Steve's hometown of Norfolk.
- [26:46]
Dr. Tristan Engels
Steve seems to have a pattern of behavior that suggests that romantic relationships to him will solve his emotional turmoil, which is not uncommon for individuals with his abandonment history and attachment style. But without insight and once again without treatment, his behavior in these relationships will only reinforce core beliefs about his worth because he cannot sustain them.
- [27:07]
Vanessa Richardson
Currently, Ipswich is a medium sized historical city with a quaint family feel to it. The kind of place where kids hung out at the milkshake shop and there was a sprawling park where they'd run around playing sports. However, Steve and Pamela's house was on London Road, which was an outlier to Ipswich's charming feel. To those in the know, it was considered part of the city's small red light district, but it was was quiet enough that not everyone knew about it, and there's a chance that Pamela wasn't aware of what was going on in their neighborhood. But Steve certainly was, and soon the people of Ipswich would find out about him too.
- [27:51]
Mint Mobile Advertiser
Mint is still $15 a month for premium wireless, and if you haven't made the switch yet, here are 15 reasons why you should 1. It's $15 a month.
- [28:01]
Vanessa Richardson
2.
- [28:01]
Mint Mobile Advertiser
Seriously, it's $15 a month.
- [28:04]
Dr. Tristan Engels
3.
- [28:04]
Mint Mobile Advertiser
No big contracts.
- [28:06]
Dr. Tristan Engels
4.
- [28:06]
Mint Mobile Advertiser
I use it. 5. My mom uses it. Are you playing me off? That's what's happening, right? Okay, give it a try. @mintmobile.com Switch upfront payment of $45 for.
- [28:15]
Dr. Tristan Engels
3 month plan $15 per month equivalent required New customer offer first 3 months only then full price plan options available, taxes and fees extra.
- [28:20]
Shopify Advertiser
See mintmobile.com Running a business comes with a lot of what ifs. That's why you need Shopify. They'll help you create a convenient unified comm or for whatever your business throws at you. Whether you sell online, in store, or both, you can sell the way you want, attract the customers you need and keep them coming back. Turn those what ifs into why nots. With Shopify. Sign up for your $1 per month trial@shopify.com specialoffer that's shopify.com specialoffer.
- [28:52]
Dennis Cooper
I'm Dennis Cooper, host of Culpable and I want to tell you about this case I've been following in a small Ohio town. When 17 year old Danny Violet stormed out of his house one afternoon in 1998, his family thought it was just another episode of teenage angst and he'd return home safely.
- [29:08]
Vanessa Richardson
The longer it went, the more worried.
- [29:11]
Mint Mobile Advertiser
I was because he never disappeared like that.
- [29:14]
Dennis Cooper
But their worst fears materialized when his lifeless, asphyxiated body was later found in a nearby cornfield. He asphyxiates in a cornfield? You can't hang it from a cornstalk. The rumor mill in the small town has brought many theories, but the question remains. What happened to Danny?
- [29:32]
Vanessa Richardson
Did they get scared and have to dump the body? Was this just all good fun that went bad? Because if you are doing acid, God knows the different possibilities.
- [29:46]
Dennis Cooper
From Tenderfoot tv an all new season of Culpable is available now.
- [29:50]
Vanessa Richardson
Now in 2004, 46 year old Steve Wright moved into a home in Ipswich, England with his girlfriend Pamela. Their house was located in a small red light district and there were often sex workers in the area. At night, despite the temptation lurking outside Steve's door, it doesn't seem like he partook in this world at first. Instead, he seemed busy building a cozy life with Pamela. When the two moved in together, they worked hard to make their house a home. They quickly fell into a routine with Pamela working night shifts at an IT call center where Steve would often drop her off. Meanwhile, Steve got a job at a hotel and started dressing the part of a put together professional. He also became a member of an exclusive social club called the Brigands and joined a local golf club. As well as from the outside, he and Pamela were very happy together. There was a trust between them that Steve had never really experienced. And unlike his last relationships, there were no signs of abuse. Plus, even though they had moved to an area full of temptation for Steve, he managed to stay on the straight and narrow. But Steve's good behavior was only temporary. It's not clear what his trigger was, but within six months of moving to Ipswich, Steve got what he called an urge. While Pamela was working late, he returned to his old ways. Steve started going out at night, meeting sex workers at hotels, or picking them up in his blue Ford. Steve was effectively living two lives. During the day, he was a supportive partner and professional, but at night, he was a prowler.
- [31:39]
Dr. Tristan Engels
This is often how addictive behaviors begin. A strong desire or impulse starts that feels like it needs to be acted on, whether it's for physical release, emotional numbness, or some kind of control. When someone begins to act on these impulses in secret and outside of their usual healthy routine, it could signal the start of a potential compulsive cycle. Addiction often develops when someone uses a behavior like seeking out sex work as a coping mechanism for deeper unresolved emotional issues. In Steve's case, he may have been using these encounters to escape the pain or frustration he's not addressing in his real life. So the secrecy and the dual existence being a supportive partner by day and a prowler by night, are telltale signs of someone trying to maintain control over their image while feeding this hidden, increasingly consuming urge. And as time goes on, this behavior becomes reinforced. Just like addiction, he gets temporary relief or gratification from these secret encounters, which reinforces the behavior and strength. The urge he feels becomes more pronounced over time, and the need for it starts to outweigh the consequences. And this is a critical point where addiction could be forming, or perhaps already has, because this has been going on.
- [32:55]
Vanessa Richardson
For some time now, is developing an addiction to a substance different from an addiction to an activity like sex.
- [33:03]
Dr. Tristan Engels
So we often talk about addiction in the context of substances like alcohol or drugs. But process addictions like sex addiction follow the same pattern. They involve an individual seeking out a specific behavior, often to avoid uncomfortable emotions. Like I mentioned in psychological terms, sex addiction, often referred to as sexual compulsivity or hypersexuality, is characterized by an overwhelming preoccupation with sexual behavior that leads to impulsive, repetitive actions despite any possible consequences. So while it's not officially listed as a distinct disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, it's still recognized by many professionals as a behavioral addiction or a compulsive sexual behavior. And the problem is that over time, much like an addiction to drugs or alcohol, as the need for the behavior increases, the person's ability to control it decreases, which can create even more harmful consequences, whether it's in their relationship, their career, legally, or their emotional well being overall.
- [34:07]
Vanessa Richardson
Well, it wasn't long before Steve's after hours activities began to take on a darker tone. He'd already proven himself capable of violence in the past, and by 2006 he seemed to be teetering on the edge of mayhem. In October of that year, the day before Halloween, 48 year old Steve took a nightly drive in his blue Ford through Ipswich, looking for a sex worker to pick up. At some point after 10:30 that night, Steve saw a woman lingering on the street. She was a 19 year old named Tanya Nickel, a sex worker who lived in the area with her mother and younger brother. She kept her profession a secret from her family and would often wander around the streets after dark looking for clients. So when Steve pulled over, Tanya willingly jumped in his car. We don't know what happened during that drive, but no one ever saw Tanya alive again. Again, she was reported missing a few days later, on November 1, 2006. And while Tanya's family was very concerned about her disappearance, it's not clear if the police were. At least not until another girl vanished. Two weeks after Tanya went missing, another sex worker from the same area, 25 year old Gemma Adams, disappeared. But unlike Tanya, the authorities soon found Gemma. However, they were too late to save her. In early December 2006, Gemma's body was located in a small brook not too far from the center of town. When the police got to the scene, they could see that she'd been strangled. And although they didn't Know it yet? Steve had murdered her.
- [35:53]
Dr. Tristan Engels
All right, so I'm going to issue a trigger one morning. I'm going to discuss the graphic nature of strangulation. So if this is something that's too sensitive, I would suggest moving forward. Strangulation is one of the most personal, violent, and intimate forms of killing. Unlike other methods of murder, such as killing with a gun or stabbing, which often involves some physical distance between the perpetrator and the victim, to some degree at least, strangulation requires close proximity and direct physical contact. There's typically a physical struggle, a feeling of dominance over the victim, and slow agonizing process that allows the perpetrator to watch their victim fight for their breath and their life. It is a method that demands not just control, but a willingness to be present and involved in the victim's suffering until the very end. It's often associated with rage, power, and control. And Steve has had a growing need for those very things. So the brutal nature of strangulation and the intimate personal control it offers fits with his psychological state and his profile. Violent acts serve as a way of channeling and releasing his emotional pain. And this is a significant escalation. Not only is it a brutal crime, it's the second victim in a very short amount of time. As if Steve is presently in a criminal spin.
- [37:13]
Vanessa Richardson
How does one go from enjoying the company of sex workers, as Steve clearly did, often, to killing them?
- [37:20]
Dr. Tristan Engels
Yeah, so in Steve's case, his actions follow a similar pattern to many serial killers who target victims for both symbolic and practical reasons. On a symbolic level, his choice of sex workers as victims represents deeper, unresolved emotional issues towards women that we've covered and that stem from feelings of betrayal and abandonment by his mother. Sex workers may represent unmet needs for love, attention, and validation that Steve never received. This makes them desirable as well, because they serve a symbolic purpose. But at a practical level, sex workers are desirable to see because of their availability and vulnerability. They are easier to access, often working in isolated areas at night. And he knows where to go to find them because he's been actively enjoying them for so long. I mean, it's not a coincidence that he settled into a red light district. He wanted access, even if maybe at the time, he wasn't conscious of it. Sex workers as a marginalized group are often dehumanized by society, which makes their disappearances less likely to attract national attention or even investigations. They are vulnerable, and they often don't have the same societal protections, making them ideal targets for people like Steve. So while, yes, he Once enjoyed them. But in doing so, he learned just how vulnerable and desirable they could be for him to target and use his violence.
- [38:45]
Vanessa Richardson
With the discovery of Jemma's body, police were now much more concerned about Tanya Nichols fate. As a result, finally a massive manhunt was launched. The Police stopped over 2,000 people and 500 cars in Ipswich Switch, hoping for any shred of information that would help them find her alive. Unfortunately, they didn't. A few days after finding Gemma, Tanya's body was found in yet another brook on the outskirts of town. Investigators immediately noticed the pattern here. Both women were sex workers from the same area and both were found submerged in water. As far as they could tell, there was no forensic material on either body that they could use to find their killer. Which was especially terrifying because he could strike again at any moment. And only two days later, authorities found another body in the woods near Ipswich. This victim was 24 year old Annalee Alderton. Like Tanya and Gemma, Annalee was a sex worker who was regularly seen in Ipswich's red light district. She'd last been seen a few days earlier visiting her five year old old son who lived with Annelie's mother. When police examined her remains, they could see that she too had possibly been strangled. Not only that, her body was arranged in a Christian cruciform pose like Jesus on the cross.
- [40:12]
Dr. Tristan Engels
So the use of religious symbolism and crimes can provide insight into the killer's motive, mental state, beliefs and their view on power and control. Specifically, the image of Jesus on the cross traditionally represents to most suffering, sacrifice or redemption. This becomes even more significant when we consider that Annalee was a sex worker. So the killer's use of this imagery could suggest that they saw themselves as punishing her for her perceived sins, maybe even viewing her life choices as deserving of retribution in some way. But why her and why now? I find it significant that Annalee was a mother to a five year old son who did not live with her. This detail mirrors Steve's own experience of abandonment from his mother around around that same age. Which could indicate she was personally targeted for punishment as a result. And could explain why he disposed of her body in a different and more symbolic manner than the others. He also could have simply begun to evolve. Or this could also be an attempt to thwart the police, so they don't link the murders to one person. But posing the body suggests a deep need for control. The ritualistic nature of the act and turning her into a sacrifice likely allowed him to impose meaning on the crime, giving him a sense of justification and potentially allowing him to believe that he was redeeming himself in the process as well. It's almost like he's repenting for both of them. There is a lot that can be inferred, but it's certainly significant. And as an aside, I find it hard to believe that he's just starting now. It's not common for serial killers to begin in their late 40s like this, and I'll talk more about this in episode two. But remember, he lived near the red light district. These are women who worked there, and I think it is likely and highly possible that he knew these victims before targeting them.
- [42:06]
Vanessa Richardson
Whatever the motivation was to pose Annelie like that, the authorities were chilled. They had three dead bodies and even more unanswered questions. But the discovery of Annelie's body did give them one new lead, DNA evidence. They didn't have someone to match it with yet, but it was a promising start. However, the public wasn't willing to sit idly by while the police investigated. The media caught wind of the murders and soon the news was broadcast throughout the country. And while that happened, Steve Wright watched the media frenzy on the TV from the comfort of his living room as reporters and worried citizens guessed at theories and locked their doors. Steve had never felt more in control. Control because he knew exactly what had happened and the horror that was yet to come. Thanks so much for listening. Join us next time as we conclude conclude our deep dive into the Suffolk Strangler.
- [43:22]
Dr. Tristan Engels
Steve Wright Killer Minds is a Crime House Original Powered by Pave Studios. Here at Crime House, we want to thank each and every one of you for your support. If you like what you heard today, reach out on Instagram Illerminds and don't forget to rate, review and follow Killer Minds wherever you get your podcasts. Your feedback truly makes a difference and.
- [43:44]
Vanessa Richardson
To enhance your listening experience, subscribe to Crime House plus on Apple Podcasts. You'll get every episode of Killer Minds ad free along with early access to each thrilling two part series and exciting Crime House bonus content. Killer Minds is hosted by me, Vanessa Richardson and Dr. Tristan Engels and is a Crime House original. Powered by Pave Studios. This episode was brought to life by the Killer Mind team. Max Cutler, Ron Shapiro, Alex Benedon, Lori Marinelli, Natalie Pertzovsky, Sarah Camp, Kate Murdoch, Cole Quirk, Hania Saeed and Carrie Murphy. Thank you for listening.