True Crime Garage – “Chicken Pot Killer” ////// Episode 909 (Feb 25, 2026)

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, Nic and the Captain delve into the deeply personal and brutal murder of Nicola “Nikki” Collingbourne in Letchworth Garden City, England. The story explores themes of fractured family bonds, betrayal, and the chilling lengths a person will go to seek revenge and avoid justice. Through a combination of in-depth research, sharp banter, and thoughtful analysis, the hosts reconstruct the timeline of events leading up to and following the tragic killing—commonly referred to as the "Chicken Pot Killer" case due to a critical piece of evidence.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Bonds (and Limits) of Family

• Background: Nikki Collingbourne, 26, is described as a caring, dependable woman with strong familial ties (05:00–07:30). Growing up in the UK, she had only a distant relationship with her half-sister, Yvonne Kaler, who was nearly 30 years her senior and spent her adult life in America.
• Reunion Attempts: Nikki traveled to the US in 2011 to develop a sibling bond, but the attempt devolved into conflict and Nikki returned to the UK within a year (09:00–12:00).
• Reconnection: In 2015, after Yvonne returned to England, Nikki graciously invited her estranged half-sister to move in, despite their troubled history (11:56–13:00). This decision proved fatal.

2. Escalating Tensions and Violence

• Living Arrangement Turns Hostile: Quickly, arguments escalated. The final straw came during a violent altercation in October 2015, with property damage (destroyed iPad, stolen laptop), and threats from Yvonne: “Yvonne destroyed Nikki’s iPad...pinning her against a wall and threatening to kill her.” (13:00–14:50)
• Police Involvement: Both sisters told drastically different stories to the police. Officers believed Nikki, citing her nature and Yvonne’s history of agitation (“Nikki’s version of this story much more credible.” – Nick, 16:13).

3. Legal Actions and “No Contact” Orders

• Eviction and Burglary: Nikki evicted Yvonne, who then burglarized Nikki’s flat with the aid of a locksmith (17:47). Cell phone records and witness identification by the locksmith implicated Yvonne.
• Attempted Manipulation: Yvonne calls their mother, Renee, and asks her to lie to police about property ownership (19:40).
• Continued Threats: Yvonne violated a no-contact order by calling Nikki: “We need to talk,” prompting Nikki to barricade herself at home (20:43–23:30).
• Emotional Impact: Nikki expressed paralyzing fear, even sending photos of makeshift barriers to her nieces (33:00–34:16).

4. The Murder and Crime Scene

• Timeline: On May 23, 2016—the day Yvonne’s burglary trial could begin—Nikki was found dead in her kitchen after failing to collect her mother from a hospital appointment (34:45–37:35).
• Discovery: Nikki’s body was found lying face-up, in her underwear, wrists deeply slashed, surrounded by blood, shards of a chicken-shaped ceramic pot, and a knife in a bleach bottle (35:51–38:51).
• Initial Investigation: Police briefly considered suicide or accidental death; however, forensic analysis and post-mortem findings strongly indicated homicide. (38:51–42:25)
  • Quote: “Her skull had been fractured, but it could not be confirmed that it was severe enough to kill her...She would have been knocked out and therefore didn’t accidentally or purposely cut herself. Someone had knocked her out and then used the knife on the wrist.” – Nick (42:36–43:04)
• Details about the ‘Chicken Pot’: The broken chicken-shaped casserole dish was reassembled and found to contain both Nikki's and Yvonne’s DNA (44:13–46:37).

5. CCTV Footage & Forensic Evidence

• Surveillance Breakthrough: CCTV showed a person dressed as a man (hi-vis jacket, ginger wig, glasses, beard) entering Nikki’s flat, staying several hours, and leaving with a bag—timing perfectly with the murder (46:57–48:07).
• Disguise Details: The ‘man’ on camera was identified by family (nieces, Jody and Leanne) as Yvonne in disguise (49:18–51:20).
• Yvonne’s Reaction: Upon seeing CCTV footage, Yvonne said, “I may be fat, but I’m not bow legged.” (51:20)
• Forensic Slip-up: Yvonne tried to remove ceramic pieces contaminated with her blood but missed enough to seal her fate.
  • Quote: “She was dumb enough to leave a few pieces behind that did, in fact, contain her blood, placing her at the scene.” – Nick (52:24)

6. Premeditation and Motive

• Disguise Purchases: Owners of a costume shop identified Yvonne as the customer buying a ginger wig, large glasses, and a fake beard in April—indicating long-standing premeditation (55:47–56:55).
• Clear Motive: Prosecutors argued Yvonne wanted to “silence the key witness” ahead of her trial for burglary (57:21).
• Planned Escape: Searches of Yvonne’s computer revealed she was looking up trans-Atlantic flights post-murder (49:55).

7. Trial, Verdict, and Aftermath

• Courtroom Lies: On the stand, Yvonne denied everything – her involvement, the disguise shop visit, locksmith incident, and presence at the crime scene (58:59–59:33).
• Conviction: Jurors unanimously found Yvonne Kaler guilty after seven hours of deliberation; she was sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum 20-year term (60:24–61:52).
  • Judge’s words: “You are a violent, dishonest, deceitful person and ultimately a selfish, heartless killer.” (61:52)
• Tragic Impact: Nikki’s mother died weeks after her daughter’s murder. The family was left devastated but found closure in Yvonne’s conviction.
  • Quote: “More than anything, Nikki wanted to be a mom herself. But tragically, Nikki would never get the chance to have her own children because of her violent, selfish and disgusting half sister, Yvonne.” – Nick (62:15)

8. Reflections & Related Cases

• The hosts connect Nikki’s case with other unsolved crimes captured on camera, highlighting the continued hope for justice in those cases: Chelsea Small, Missy Beavers, Jennifer Kesse, Nancy Guthrie (63:00–64:00).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Nikki’s Kindness: “She was always reliable and she’s selfless in nature.” – Nick (07:32)
• On Yvonne’s Character: “Some people would say a real bitch at Rooney.” – Captain (17:12)
• On Denials: “She denied ever being in the costume shop. She denied calling a locksmith, she denied returning to Nikki’s flat after she was evicted.” – Nick (58:59)
• On Crime Scene Staging: “She went to all these great lengths to get in…and [tried] to clean up the murder scene, it seems like…and I don’t even think that the disguise was to have a ruse against Nikki—just to dress herself up for the cameras.” – Captain & Nick (53:41–53:47)
• On CCTV Reaction: “I may be fat, but I’m not bow legged.” – Yvonne Kaler (51:20)
• On the Tragedy: “Nikki just seemed to want a relationship with family members and she wanted to help her family members…she didn’t realize what kind of individual she was getting involved with.” – Captain (61:52–62:15)
• Judge’s Sentencing: “You are a violent, dishonest, deceitful person and ultimately a selfish, heartless killer.” (61:52)

Key Timestamps

• 05:00–07:30: Nikki’s background and character
• 09:00–12:00: US visit and fallout between sisters
• 13:00–15:32: Domestic violence, threats, and eviction
• 17:47–19:17: Burglary, involvement of the locksmith
• 19:40–20:21: Yvonne’s attempt to get her mother to lie
• 33:00–34:16: Nikki’s state of fear and self-protection
• 35:51–38:51: Discovery of the body and initial crime scene analysis
• 44:13–46:37: Forensics and the ‘chicken pot’ evidence
• 46:57–51:20: CCTV footage and identification
• 51:20–52:24: Dismissive denials and forensic confirmation
• 55:47–56:55: Costume shop and premeditation
• 57:21–60:24: The trial and verdict
• 61:52: Judge’s condemnation and sentencing

Tone & Style

Nic and the Captain weave irreverent humor with deep empathy for the victim, providing clarity on forensic and legal details. Their banter brings levity (“a real Aruni Dooney,” “bitch a rooney”) while always returning to the seriousness and impact of the crime. The episode is thorough, thoughtfully critical of the perpetrator, and hopeful for justice in similar cases.

Summary Takeaway

A compelling, methodically planned murder is unraveled through excellent police work, forensic evidence, and the resilience of a family seeking justice for Nikki Collingbourne. This episode is not only a tribute to Nikki’s loving spirit but a gripping reminder that even calculated killers can be unmasked, especially when their disguise is as obvious as a “chicken pot” in the hands of determined investigators.