CCTV software breakthrough in Katie Beattie 'needlemark' death case, Lancaster

Police are using new software to recover corrupted CCTV footage from outside Katie Beattie's Lancaster flat, where she was found dead in July 2024. Her family believes she was murdered.

Corrupted CCTV footage may finally reveal truth behind Katie Beattie's death

Investigators looking into the death of 27-year-old Katie Beattie have identified specialist software capable of recovering corrupted CCTV footage from outside her Lancaster flat — footage that her family say could prove she was murdered, The Sun reports.

Katie was found half-naked on her bed on 1 July 2024, having been dead for up to three days. Blood was spattered around her, and marks were visible on her skin. Police initially closed the case without pursuing a murder inquiry, a decision her family have contested ever since.

The breakthrough was confirmed in an email dated 26 August from the senior investigating officer (SIO) to Katie's sister, Kellie Rhodes, 38, and seen by The Sun. "We have identified software which may enable some, if not all, of the corrupted files to be recovered and viewed," the SIO wrote. "We tested a sample of one of the corrupted files using a trial version of the software and were able to successfully view part of the footage." The officer added that while they "cannot guarantee" a full recovery, the initial results are "encouraging", and said: "I am hopeful that we may be able to obtain a more complete timeline of events."

Family gathered their own evidence

Katie had been known to police due to alcohol addiction and mental health issues. Her family believe that history shaped how investigators approached her death. Among the clues they say were missed or overlooked: CCTV showing a man leaving Katie's flat in the hours before her body was discovered, and a fresh needle mark between her toes that was spotted by family members at the morgue but had not been flagged by investigators. No syringe was found at the scene.

Kellie told The Sun: "We're just hoping that it finally proves what we've suspected all along. The police were wrong to dismiss this so easily."

The family allege Katie, a supermarket worker, was regularly targeted by "predators" who would inject her with drugs while she was intoxicated, then rape and rob her. They say she was not a frequent drug user.

Frustrated by the initial response, Katie's loved ones took her case to the Victims' Right to Review scheme. In April this year, Lancashire Police confirmed new enquiries had been opened. Officers subsequently collected evidence the family had gathered independently, including Katie's iPad and Apple Watch.

Scepticism over the CCTV timeline

Despite welcoming the development, Kellie remains unconvinced by the explanation surrounding the corrupted footage. "All the way up to her inquest, they told us they'd looked at all the CCTV and there's no man on it," she said. The inquest, held in June last year, returned an open conclusion — there was not enough evidence to determine the cause of death.

Only after that inquest, Kellie said, were the family told the footage was partially corrupted and could not be viewed. "If that was the case, why weren't they trialling software back then? Why has it taken us applying to the Victims' Right to Review for the case to go to major crime and be re-opened — and now all of a sudden they're trialling it and it's working?"

She also questioned the scope of the problem. "There's more than one camera in that building. Are you telling me it's all corrupt? I don't believe it."

Independent pathologist, second opinion

As part of their campaign, the family enlisted retired Northern Irish detective sergeant James Brannigan and his team from charity The Katie Trust. A pathologist consulted by Brannigan gave Katie's post-mortem a second opinion, concluding that the decomposition present suggested she likely died earlier than originally determined.

The independent expert also raised concerns about the blood samples taken at the time. Only one of two samples had been tested, and neither was deemed sufficiently reliable due to clotting caused by the elapsed time. The pathologist recommended that eye fluid be used instead, for a more accurate reading — including of any substances in Katie's system. That recommendation, along with other findings, was submitted to police as part of the Victims' Right to Review process.

The August email from the SIO confirmed eye fluid testing was "due to commence", with the officer telling Kellie: "I am hopeful that the results will be available in the near future." Nearly two months on, the family are still waiting.

"There's not much more they could throw at us"

Kellie said the lead officer had indicated he would not provide constant updates, so as not to cause further distress. She was blunt in response. "We've had to read all the horrible details ourselves already and do the research. There's not much more they could throw at us."

The family had previously shared doorbell camera footage with The Sun that appears to show officers laughing and joking at the scene — something they say demonstrates Katie's death was not taken seriously from the outset.

Katie was found wearing only a bra top, shorts and a single sock. Those items of clothing were returned to the family by police but have since been discarded.

Lancashire Police said in a statement: "Our thoughts remain with Katie's family at this time. We continue to keep them updated when we are able to, but given that enquiries are ongoing, it would be inappropriate to publish further details."

Source: The Sun