MISSING PERSON
CASE #: 2020-145
Bernadette Walker
Status:
Open
Date of Last Contact:
Date of Last Contact:
Missing From:
Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England
Summary:
Bernadette Walker, a 17-year-old photography student at Peterborough College, disappeared on 18 July 2020 in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England. Days before her disappearance, Bernadette made allegations to her mother, Sarah Walker, that her stepfather Scott Walker had been sexually abusing her for several years. She is presumed dead and despite extensive searches by police, her body has not been found. On 26 July 2021, the jury at Cambridge Crown Court found Scott guilty of murder; on 10 September, he was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Vital Statistics
Circumstances of Disappearance:
On 18 July 2020, Bernadette was last seen when her stepfather Scott picked her up in a car from his parents' home in Peterborough, where she had spent the night. Days before her disappearance, Bernadette made allegations to her mother, Sarah Walker, that her stepfather Scott Walker had been sexually abusing her for several years. Scott's phone was then turned off between 11:23 a.m. and 12:54 p.m., during which time he claimed Bernadette got out of the car and ran away in Skaters Way. Prosecutors said it was during these 91 minutes Scott murdered Bernadette. Scott and Sarah reported her disappearance on 21 July.
Additional Details:
Cambridgeshire Constabulary discovered that instead of picking her up that morning, Scott had gone to a lock-up garage owned by his parents in Walton. He visited this location several times after Bernadette was reported missing. Bernadette's rucksack was found in the Walton lock-up garage and a diary was found inside. On 14 September 2020, Scott and Sarah were arrested for murder and perverting the course of justice. Scott Walker's trial started at Cambridge Crown Court in June 2021. On 26 July 2021, the jury at Cambridge Crown Court found Scott guilty of murder; on 10 September, he was sentenced to life imprisonment. Sarah was sentenced to six years for perverting the course of justice in Bernadette's murder case. Scott died from cancer at HM Prison Full Sutton on 22 December 2023, without revealing the location of Bernadette's body.
Case Last Updated:
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Share what you learnTimeline of Events
Scott was sentenced to life imprisonment; Sarah was sentenced to six years for perverting the course of justice
The jury at Cambridge Crown Court found Scott guilty of murder
Scott and Sarah were arrested for murder and perverting the course of justice
Cambridgeshire Police launch a 'no-body' murder investigation
Sarah Walker reports Bernadette as missing to the police in the early hours of the morning
Scott's phone was turned back on at 12:54 p.m., during which time he claimed Bernadette got out of the car and ran away
Scott's phone was turned off at 11:23 a.m.
Bernadette goes to stay at Scott Walker's parents' house overnight
Associated Persons
Scott W. (Stepfather, person of interest, convicted murderer) - Deceased
Warren N. (Friend) - Living
Sarah W. (Mother, person of interest, convicted of perverting course of justice) - Living
Anthony W. (Brother) - Living
Family Tree
Why is this important?Missing person
Father
Mother
Paternal Grandfather
Paternal Grandmother
Maternal Grandfather
Maternal Grandmother
Paternal Grandfather's Mother
Paternal Grandfather's Father
Paternal Grandmother's Mother
Paternal Grandmother's Father
Maternal Grandfather's Mother
Maternal Grandfather's Father
Maternal Grandmother's Mother
Maternal Grandmother's Father
Paternal Grandfather's Mother
Paternal Grandfather's Father
Paternal Grandmother's Mother
Paternal Grandmother's Father
Maternal Grandfather's Mother
Maternal Grandfather's Father
Maternal Grandmother's Mother
Maternal Grandmother's Father
Paternal Grandfather
Paternal Grandmother
Maternal Grandfather
Maternal Grandmother
Father
Mother
Missing Person
Missing Person
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