Murder Detective with Graham Hill S01E01 - Episode 1: Sharon Birchwood

52-year-old Sharon Birchwood was killed at her home in the sleepy village of Ashtead, Surrey. In December 2007, Sharon was found by her ex-husband, strangled to death and trussed up in parcel tape.

Despite divorcing in 1989, Sharon remained devoted to her ex-husband George Birchwood, with him being the sole beneficiary of her will. Suspicions, therefore, initially fell on Birchwood, who had debts of more than £150,000. However, he seemed to have an alibi and was pictured on CCTV during the time of Sharon's murder.

After months of painstaking detective work and a crucial DNA breakthrough, Paul Cryne became their prime suspect. Cryne was a former business associate of Birchwoods and had flown from Thailand shortly before her death, staying with Sharon's mother in Banstead.

Further into the investigation, it was discovered that Birchwood paid Cryne £30,000 to kill Sharon so he could inherit his ex-wife's £575,000 assets.

Through interviews with the senior investigating officer and those who worked on the case, we learn how a case spanning two continents was solved and the killers brought to justice.