Dennis Nilsen: The Kindly Killer (Part 1)

Thu Feb 05 2026

On the morning of February 8, 1983, a plumber working in London’s Muswell Hill neighbor opened a drainage cover behind a Cranley Gardens apartment building and made a horrific discovery—the drain was blocked by pieces of bone and human tissue. Upon investigation, detectives traced the blockage back to one apartment in the building, where additional evidence suggested things were far worse than they’d initially thought. When the occupant of the apartment, Dennis Nilsen, was confronted with the human remains, he began telling investigators a shocking story and when he was finished, Nilsen had confessed to murdering and dismembering at fifteen men over the course of five years. In the annals of British crime, Dennis Nilsen ranks among the worst serial killers the country has ever seen, not only because of the number of people he killed, but also the method of disposal and the motive.

Transcript

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Ash (0:01)

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Alina (1:32)

I'm Alina. I'm Ash. And this is morbid.

Co-host (1:47)

This is morbid.

Alina (1:49)

This is morbid. And there's a lot going on.

Co-host (1:51)

My goodness, doesn't it just feel like that every single day you wake up.

Alina (1:54)

Truly more and more going on something very. This is one of those things. It's very chilling and it's like something that I can't stop thinking about and.

Summary

Morbid Podcast: “Dennis Nilsen: The Kindly Killer (Part 1)”

Hosts: Ash Kelley & Alaina Urquhart
Date: February 5, 2026
Episode Theme:
This episode launches a three-part series on Dennis Nilsen, infamously nicknamed "The Kindly Killer." Alaina and Ash delve into the grim details of Nilsen’s early life and the psychological roots of his crimes, setting the stage for his notorious string of murders in 1980s London. Combining intensive research with their signature blend of banter and macabre curiosity, the hosts trace Nilsen’s journey from an isolated Scottish boy to a deeply troubled adult with monstrous tendencies, all while maintaining their characteristic dark humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Podcast Banter, Personal Updates, & Breaking News (01:32–05:56)

Hosts express shock and concern over Today Show anchor Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother, Nancy.
- Empathy for the family’s ordeal; speculation about the ongoing investigation (01:51–04:47).
- Discussion on supporting local businesses as a response to current news/topics (05:02–06:10).
"Flow State" Banter (06:13–11:08):
- Ash and Alaina riff whimsically about the concept of "flow state," sharing personal examples (organizing, writing, skincare) and encouraging listeners to find moments of fully absorbed enjoyment in their own days.
- Memorable quote:
  - Alaina: “Tomorrow, wake up, attempt flow state… Just make sure you do not go to bed tomorrow night until you have entered your flow state, even for a second…” (09:17)
  - Ash: “If you drank every time we said ‘flow state’ during this, you died.” (10:42)

2. Introduction to the Case: Setting the Scene (11:08–13:32)

Trigger warning issued: Necrophilic tendencies will be discussed.
Brief overview of the Nilsen case: In February 1983, plumbers discover human remains clogging a drainpipe at a London apartment, leading police to tenant Dennis Nilsen.
Notable “80s” context in pop culture and crime:
- Ash quips, “Whenever anybody says anything is the 80s anymore, all I can hear is the 80s in my head saying ‘yeah, it was the 80s’…” (12:41)

3. Nilsen’s Early Life: Isolation & Roots of Darkness (13:32–29:19)

Born Nov 23, 1945, in Scotland—likely a Sagittarius (14:37–14:57 banter about zodiac signs).
Family life marred by absent father (a Norwegian soldier, emotionally disengaged) and a distant, preoccupied mother.
Nilsen profoundly attached to his grandfather, Andrew, whose death when Nilsen was 6 (viewing the corpse at the funeral is a defining childhood memory) instilled lasting trauma and a fixation on death.
- Quote: “My troubles started there. It blighted my personality permanently. I’ve spent all my emotional life searching for my grandfather…” – Nilsen (25:05)
Describes his own childhood as “an unhappy, brooding child, secretive and stricken with inferiority.” (23:47)
Early signals of darkness: possible suicide attempt (walking into the sea at age 6, possibly rescued & assaulted, though Nilsen acknowledges his memory/fantasy may blend).

4. Adolescence & Military Career (29:19–34:28)

Joins Army Cadet Force as a teen; finds its structure and camaraderie appealing.
At 15, leaves school to join the military; pivotal experience for a few years, but emotional isolation deepens.
Growing awareness of his homosexuality in an era—and especially an institution—where it was taboo.
- Nilsen describes fear and repression: “I was always afraid that I must somehow look different and that my innermost thoughts would be exposed…” (30:54)

5. After Service: Loneliness, Despair, and Early Red Flags (34:28–43:10)

Leaves army in 1972, drifting between jobs and living at home; rift with brother after being outed as gay; moves to London, joins the Metropolitan Police.
Finds gay scene in London disillusioning; seeks connection but only finds “soul-destroying pub scene and its resulting one night stands...” (35:31)
Increasing sense of aimlessness and inability to bond.
Early predatory behavior:
- The David Painter Incident (41:40–43:27):
  - Nilsen brings home 17-year-old runaway, attempts unwanted sexual advances, is accused of filming Painter while he sleeps.
  - Painter’s parents refuse to press charges, police issue only a warning—signals an early escalation towards his later crimes.

6. Co-habitation & Slide Toward Darkness (44:08–51:21)

Life with David Galachan:
- Nilsen enters his only semi-stable relationship but it’s largely “artificial;” they get a dog (“Bleep”) and play out a domestic façade.
- The relationship is more convenience than affection; both pursue other partners.
- After the breakup, his loneliness and fantasies grow darker; sexual and emotional alienation intensifies.
Risky and Morbid Fantasies:
- Nilsen begins simulating his own death, referencing a fascination with corpses and lifelessness.
  - Graphic quote:
    - “I put talc on my face to erase the living color…I lie staring eyed on the bed in front of the mirror…let my saliva foam and drip from my mouth…” (49:28)
- Instigates fire in his own home to “rescue” unconscious party guests, seeking hero role (50:27–51:13).

7. First Murder: Stephen Holmes (52:16–59:38)

On New Year's Eve, 1978, after drinking alone and feeling rejected, Nilsen lures 14-year-old Stephen Holmes home from a bar for drinks.
When Holmes passes out, Nilsen, driven by fear of being left alone, strangles and drowns him.
- Nilsen’s chilling recollection:
  - “I remember thinking that I wanted him to stay with me over the new year, whether he wanted to or not.” (54:03)
  - “I quickly straddled him and pulled tight for all I was worth…” (54:05)
Brings body to bathroom, washes it, then stores it under the floorboards for months, periodically retrieving and violating the corpse.
Eventually burns the remains in the garden bonfire; buries fragments (59:06–59:38).

8. Aftermath and Psychological Descent (59:38–end)

Nilsen alternates between thoughts of confession and rationalization—believes he’ll never do it again, but soon breaks his resolve.
The episode ends with a preview for part two: escalation is imminent.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On flow state:
- Alaina: “Tomorrow, wake up, attempt flow state… Do whatever you need to do. And to make sure you do not go to bed tomorrow night until you have entered your flow state, even for a second…” (09:17)
On self-talk and self-image:
- Alaina: “Stop telling—saying you’re dumb and being mean to yourself. That’s another piece of advice.” (17:43)
- RuPaul quote attempt: “How in the hell are you going to love somebody else if you cannot love yourself?” (17:00–17:14, paraphrased with much laughter)
On Nilsen’s childhood wound:
- “I’ve spent all my emotional life searching for my grandfather…” – Nilsen (25:05)
On horror of first murder:
- “I wanted him to stay with me over the new year, whether he wanted to or not.” – Nilsen (54:03)
On necrophilia and self-induced death play:
- “I put talc on my face… let my saliva foam and drip from my mouth. I step outside myself in detached imagination.” – Nilsen (49:28)

Timestamps for Important Segments

01:51 – Hosts discuss Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother
06:13–11:08 – “Flow state” banter and life encouragement
13:32 – Begin Nilsen’s early life and psychological background
25:05 – Nilsen's psychological turning point after grandfather's death
41:40 – The David Painter incident, a key escalation
44:08 – Life with David Galachan and beginnings of descent
49:28 – Nilsen’s necrophilic fantasy descriptions
52:16 – First murder (Stephen Holmes) in detail
59:38 – Burning of the body, Nilsen’s resolve breaks

Style & Tone

Alaina and Ash maintain their trademark mix of empathy, candor, and light irony—even through highly graphic material—making the episode approachable despite its grim content.
Banter and asides provide comic relief: notably in digressions about zodiac signs (14:37), RuPaul’s Drag Race, and “flow states.”

Listener Takeaways

This episode skillfully mixes forensic detail, psychological insight, and accessible commentary to illuminate the making of Dennis Nilsen’s monstrous persona.
The hosts encourage kindness to oneself, awareness of mental health, and reflection on the ripple effects of trauma—all while warning that the story only gets darker from here.

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