The Footpath Murderer

Colin Pitchfork, also known as the Footpath Murderer and the Black Pad Killer was born 23 March 1961 in Bristol, England. Because Pitchfork’s two murders occurred in Leicestershire, the two murders have sometimes been referred to as the Enderby Murders or the Narborough Murders. 

The early 20-something Pitchfork—a local baker by trade who was married and had two small sons—was tried, convicted, and sentenced to life for the rape and murder of two 15-year-old girls, Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth. He was also convicted for other, earlier, indecent assaults and attempting to pervert the course of justice by enlisting a friend to provide a DNA sample in his place. In fact, Colin Pitchfork has the dubious distinction of being the first person in the world to be convicted with DNA evidence—a new technology at the time. This case is also notable for being the first time where a suspect was cleared based upon DNA testing.