In a chilling revelation that has sent shockwaves through Northern Ireland once again, the confession tapes of convicted double-murderer and former dentist Colin Howell have been made public, shedding new light on his crimes and his relationship with co-accused Hazel Stewart. The tapes, featured in a new BBC documentary, reveal Howell's disturbing perspective on Stewart, whom he describes as 'another one of his unfortunate victims'.
The 1991 Murders
The story dates back to 1991, when Lesley Howell and police officer Trevor Buchanan were found dead in a fume-filled garage. For years, the official explanation was that the couple had died in a suicide pact after discovering their partners' affair. However, the truth was far more sinister.
Colin Howell, a respected dentist and prominent member of his local church in Coleraine, and Hazel Stewart, a former Sunday School teacher, had been conducting an affair behind their respective spouses' backs. In a calculated and ruthless plan, they conspired to murder Lesley and Trevor, making it look like a suicide pact.
Howell's Confession
Nearly two decades after the murders, in 2009, Howell walked into a police station and confessed to the killings. His confession led to the arrest and subsequent conviction of both him and Stewart. Howell was sentenced to a minimum of 21 years in prison, while Stewart received a minimum of 18 years.
New Revelations from Confession Tapes
The recently aired BBC documentary, 'Confessions of a Killer,' includes excerpts from Howell's confession tapes, recorded during his interviews with police. In these chilling recordings, Howell's voice, though soft, is clear as he details his involvement in the murders and his perspective on Stewart's role.
'Definitely as a person she was a victim,' Howell is heard saying. 'There was a co-operation but arising from, you've told me, I didn't know she had a fear, but obviously it's clear she had a fear and didn't know how to escape from it.'
Howell continues, 'So yeah she responded and did certain things that she now, at the time had even, especially now, regrets. But in terms of the driving force as to why these things happened, she's been a very unfortunate victim of Colin Howell and I regret that.'
Coercive Control Argument
Stewart's legal team had previously argued that she was under Howell's coercive control at the time of the murders, a defense that was largely dismissed during her trial. In 2025, Stewart attempted to secure a reduction in her jail sentence based on this argument, citing new medical evidence. Her bid was unsuccessful.
Why Did Howell Confess After All These Years?
In the tapes, Howell provides insight into his decision to confess almost two decades after the murders. He describes a series of sudden changes in his life, including difficulties in his marriage, financial problems, and a realization about his dental practice. Howell admits to being 'involved in intermittent sexual behaviours with patients' at his practice.
'My world fell apart and I walked in here probably believing that this was the only way that I could be real and that it would put right what was wrong, that's why I came and confessed,' Howell says in the tapes.
Further Crimes and Manipulation
The confession tapes also reveal additional disturbing details about Howell's behavior. He admits to using drugs from his practice on Stewart, including laughing gas as a relaxant and the injection of a sedative. In 2011, Howell was sentenced to five and a half years in prison for indecent assault on five female patients, further exposing the extent of his manipulative and predatory behavior.
The Aftermath and Legacy
The case of Colin Howell and Hazel Stewart has become one of the most infamous in Northern Ireland's criminal history. It was previously the subject of an ITV drama, 'The Pact,' which dramatized the events leading up to the murders and the subsequent investigation.
Howell and Stewart remained in a relationship for five years after the murders of their partners, a fact that adds another layer of complexity and horror to the case. The revelation that Howell viewed Stewart as a victim in his confession tapes raises questions about the nature of their relationship and the dynamics of control and manipulation that may have existed between them.
Public Reaction and Ongoing Discussion
The broadcast of the confession tapes has reignited public interest in the case and sparked debate about the nature of guilt, responsibility, and victimhood in criminal cases. While many remain unconvinced by Howell's portrayal of Stewart as a victim, others are grappling with the nuanced and disturbing portrait of their relationship that emerges from the tapes.
As Howell serves his sentence and Stewart continues to advocate for a reduction in her own, the case serves as a stark reminder of the depths of human depravity and the complex interplay of factors that can lead to such devastating crimes.
