True Crime With Caledonian Kitty

(Abigail White & Bradley Lewis. Picture credits: Daily Mail)

It was a case that shocked the UK when the story made the press in 2022. A 24 year old Only Fans 'model' from Bristol in England, who called herself 'The Fake Barbie' had stabbed to death her 22 year old boyfriend who was also the father to three of her children. Abigail White reportedly made £50,000 per year on the OF site whilst still in an active relationship (albeit a very violent and abusive one) with Bradley Lewis. Due to the amount of money that Abigail was making from posting nudes etc on the site, Bradley seemed to be fine with it and he was happy to take some of the pictures. 

Despite being a young couple in their early 20s, they each shared the responsibility of looking after children in the household. Bradley had also had a child with a previous partner who wasn't living with him but stayed with their mother. The fact that Bradley had another child was a point of many an argument between himself and Abigail. Abigail was a very paranoid and controlling partner but Bradley did have his moments too. The relationship was an endless cycle of arguments, infidelity (on both sides) and violence (Abigail had a disturbing habit of threatening Bradley with a knife on a number of occasions and had actually nicked him a few times before causing minor injuries).

Despite the violence and endless threats on his life, Bradley stayed with Abigail, he told friends that he was scared to leave her in case she took her own life as she often threatened to do. Abigail would later say that Bradley stayed because of the money that she made from Only Fans and that the arguments (she claimed) were down to him trying to take control of her money. 

Abigail had told a close friend that she knew that Bradley was cheating on her and she claimed the only way that she could get the truth out of him was to threaten him with a knife. She also said on more than one occasion that she felt that she was close to actually killing him one day. 

The constant see-saw of a destructive relationship had reached it's final end. Bradley, sick of the violence and threats on his life had decided that enough was enough and he wanted to end things for good. He and Abigail had gone out for a few drinks with friends and an argument had ensued with Abigail throwing a drink in Bradley's face. He was overheard saying to a friend ''I'm dead when I get home.''

The pair ended up back at the house they shared and Bradley was still determined that the relationship was to be over. It's unclear what was said between the pair but what we do know is that Bradley had walked into the kitchen and Abigail plunged a knife deep into his chest, the knife going through a gap in his rib cage. 

A deliberate act or did her plan ''to just scare him'' (as she later claimed) go too far by accident? Whatever the case she realised that she'd gone way too far this time and realised what she had done as the blood was everywhere and Bradley collapsed. She screamed for help and went to the neighbours who came to the house and saw Bradley in the kitchen. The neighbour performed CPR as Abigail stood without any emotion just saying that she didn't want him to leave her. 

Initially her story was that Bradley had stabbed himself but as the evidence and actual recordings of her threatening him in the past were made clear, she quickly changed her tune. It was a clear case of a controlling, abusive woman who ruled by fear in that relationship and when she realised that Bradley had finally given up and was actually prepared to face the consequences, she lost all control. She was a deeply jealous individual despite the fact that she was posting nude pictures of herself online to strange men in exchange for money. It seemed to be one rule for her and another rule for Bradley who wasn't a complete angel himself as he had also been unfaithful. 

It was a complete nightmare of a relationship involving two very young people and one of them was a narcissistic control freak. It's hard to fathom that in the middle of all of this, they had children. 

Abigail White was found guilty of the murder of Bradley Lewis on the 21st of October 2022 and sentenced to 18 years in prison. 

The Judge (Mr Justice Peter Donald Fraser) at her trial upon sentencing her remarked: '

'Not only will your children grow up without a father, but they will grow up knowing that their mother murdered their father. It was his misfortune that he was in a relationship with you because you are a controlling person and you are also very violent. You had stabbed him on previous occasions. You threatened to kill him regularly and he had told his friends he was scared of you and wanted to leave you.''

Abigail White is currently serving her sentence in HMP Eastwood Park prison in Gloucestershire, England. She has since found a new boyfriend who has been writing to her and she made the press in March of 2023 due to a letter she had written complaining that the prison should allow conjugal visits. 

RIP Bradley who lost his life at the young age of 22. It's heartbreaking to think also of his family and the children who have to live with the consequences of this disturbing situation. 

Further reading & sources: 

- Abigail White: Article | Daily Mail

- Abigail White: Article | The Mirror

- Abigail White: Article | New York Post

- Abigail White: Article | The Sun

- Abigail White: Article | Daily Express

Thank you for taking the time to read my latest post, what are your thoughts on this case? Let me know below, by email: jocaledoniankitty@gmail.com or on my socials

(From left: Paul Ferris & Reg McKay. Picture credit: Daily Record)

It's been many years now since Reg McKay sadly passed away from cancer at the age of just 56. He was, in many ways an inspiration to me not just when it comes to writing about true crime but also his incredible strength and bravery as he faced death 

For those who are not familiar with the dark side of Scottish crime, in particular the dark history of the city of Glasgow and the underworld of gang related crime, Reg McKay may be a name you've only just come across in this post. But Reg was a trailblazer and although he was never awarded for his incredible work, he opened so many doors for others to write about what is called 'working-class, gangland related crime'. 

Reg McKay was a fearless writer and was right in the heart of the stories that he wrote about, he walked the streets of Glasgow, he talked to every day people, he put his all into research. He wasn't some upper class writer who wrote about things he knew nothing about, he knew that world very well and associated with people of all walks of life. In short, he was a working-class boy done good and he deserved to be awarded for his tireless work. 

As a writer of the people he said that what gave him the most joy was to know that his books were the most stolen books in Scotland. People would often tell him that his books were the first books they had read all the way through since high school. It's a fact that Reg's style of writing was so gripping, informative and interesting that it has always been difficult to stick to just one chapter, you just can't put his books down. 

Reg McKay was born in Keith (Scotland) and moved to Govan in Glasgow as a teenager. Govan has always had a tough reputation (my grandparents came from there) and the living was hard and in many areas it still is. Reg learned quickly as he attended his new high school (Govan High) that this was going to be no walk in the park. The kids would come to school armed with knives and fights and slashes became an every day occurrence. Reg had witnessed a number of fights and because of his accent at that time, he stood out and had to learn how to stand up for himself. 

Despite the tough road that he now found himself on, he stayed committed to his education which in Govan at that time, wasn't the sole focus of a young person's life, it was all about gangs and how tough you were. if you focused on your education you were seen to be a nerd, a bit of a loser. Reg was determined to make something of himself but still wanted to do something that helped young people in Glasgow and surrounding areas. 

After attending university, Reg became a social worker and was so dedicated to his role that he soon found himself in a Director role of both the Argyll and Bute Council and Action for Children charity. He took both roles very seriously and it was through his role in social work that he came into contact with a young man named Paul Ferris. Paul had been involved in various petty crime incidences over the years and had quite a reputation. The pair struck up a supportive friendship and Reg thought it would be a good idea for Paul to write about his experiences as a young man growing up in the Glasgow gangland culture and how his story could help warn other young people not to go down a similar path. 

So began a partnership and Reg and Paul wrote together and the books were a success (I include a list of all of Reg and Paul's books at the end of the post). Reg continued to write alone too and produced 16 books in the space of just 10 years. Most of those books went on to become best sellers. 

Unfortunately, Reg never had children but he was utterly devoted to his wife Gerry who had battled cancer herself. Gerry had been diagnosed and overcame cancer just a short time before he was diagnosed himself. He took care of his wife and he spoke of his devastation that now she was having to do the same for him. 

He was an amazing man and I wish I could have met him. Not only because of his extraordinary talent as a writer and the care and love he had for Glasgow and it's people but he himself was quite the character. Reg liked the finer things in life and could often be found having lunch at the famous Rogano restaurant (the Rogano is the oldest restaurant in Glasgow with a a very 1930's art deco style. It has been closed for refurbishment as of late and is set to re-open soon). Reg loved white wine and Armani suits as well as cigarettes. He continued this lifestyle right up until he passed away on the 19th of October 2009. 

When I think about 2009, we sure lost a number of incredibly talented people, Reg, Michael Jackson, Patrick Swayze, John Hughes and many others. It was a sad year of great losses and the end of so many eras. 

Although I have read every book that Reg has ever written, I still find myself picking the odd one up from time to time and re-reading them. That is a sign of how amazing he was as a writer, the fact that all of these years later his works are still held in high regard with so many people. 

There are now so many true crime writers from Scotland who are writing about gangland crime but no offence to them (or myself) nobody could do it like Reg. I think he is the greatest true crime writer that Scotland has ever produced and he will always inspire me. I think of him today and imagine all of the books that he would be continuing to write and release. If he was still with us today you can be sure that his name would be the first that you would hear in the true crime world when it came to books. 

Reg knew Glasgow like the back of his hand and despite his success he still remained a Glasgow boy through and through. He never left his beloved city and right up until the end he continued to write articles for the leading Scottish newspaper 'The Daily Record'. He wrote about his journey with cancer and he faced it with such brutal honesty, wit and determination. He truly was a legend and he will never be forgotten. 

I have included a list below of all the books that you can find available that have been written by Reg McKay and in collaboration with Paul Ferris. I have also included a list of articles that Reg had written during his battle with cancer. Some clips of documentaries and other related items that he was involved or appeared in have also been included. 

I hope that you have had the chance to enjoy Reg's work over the years or have discovered him through my blog. His work deserves to be recognised and appreciated. His legacy will live on. 

Further Reading, Books by Reg McKay & Documentary clips 

- Reg McKay Booklist | Amazon

- Reg McKay Booklist | Black And White Publishing

- Reg McKay Booklist | Bookfinder

- Reg McKay Booklist | Thrift Books

- Reg McKay Booklist | World of Books

- Reg McKay | Wikipedia

- Reg McKay Tribute | Daily Record

- Reg McKay Tribute | The Herald

- Reg McKay: Article | The Cancer Diaries | Daily Record

- Reg McKay: Article | Death Wish? Not Me | Daily Record

- Reg McKay | Columist of The Year for The Cancer Diaries

- Reg McKay appears in Donal McIntyre's Documentary on Glasgow gangland crime

Paul Ferris talks about Reg McKay on James English's 'Anything Goes' podcast. Check out the podcast here on Youtube

RIP Reg McKay.

Thank you for taking the time to read my latest post and I hope that you will join me on my social media platforms 

See you in the next post x 

So, in a different change of direction to what I usually write I just wanted to express my thoughts on something here on my blog in this particular post (don't worry, I will be back covering various solved, unsolved cases, serial killers and mysteries from next week). I just felt that I needed to write something here especially as I have been asked to cover the Gypsy Rose Blanchard case quite a few times. I haven't covered it because the story is all over the place but something has been bugging me to write my thoughts on what has been going on with Gypsy recently. 

Now, we all know the horrific story of how she had been abused by her mother for years, starved, beaten, forced to take pills, her hair shaved off and had her whole life controlled as well as many other horrendous things. Her mother (Dee Dee Blanchard) did all of these things to her own daughter to pretend to their local community that Gypsy had cancer as well as many other illnesses in an attempt at gaining money and attention. When you heard Gypsy's story of the abuse that she endured for many years, your heart went out to her. 

To cut a long story short, Gypsy (having suffered enough of years of abuse) arranged and provided the financial means for a young man that she was secretly talking to online, to murder her mother. Nicholas Godejohn was 26 years old and was Autistic, he also shared some very sick fantasies with Gypsy through endless messages. Gypsy manipulated this man by sexually explicit messages and promises of what would be if he helped her get rid of her mother. 

Gypsy knew where to find money that her mother kept hidden but instead of choosing to take the money and some household valuables and running away to the authorities or staying somewhere else, she chose to end her mother's life. The horrific plan had worked, Nicholas came to the house and stabbed Dee Dee Blanchard to death with a knife that Gypsy had paid for. Gypsy was in another room as she heard her mother beg and scream for her life. After the murder, Nicholas came to Gypsy's bedroom and the pair had sex before stealing money that her mother, Dee Dee had hidden away. 

When you read the details of what happened in that house when the murder took place, it leaves chills down the spine and makes you question things. Yes, Dee Dee Blanchard was a monster but she should have been exposed and faced justice, Gypsy would have still gotten the attention and support that she also craved and had gotten used to. To have been murdered in a sickening way and for Gypsy (who claimed that she had sex with Nicholas because he had threatened to sexually assault her mother before killing her so she promised that she would have sex with him instead afterwards) to have not only had sex with this guy instead of putting a stop the whole thing and calling the police. She happily went with him with the stolen money until the pair were finally brought to justice. 

Both were clearly in it together and Gypsy admitted this. She had used her background to try to explain her actions and when the public heard her story they were shocked. The community who knew her were shocked because they had fallen for the lies. The world heard her story and were horrified at what she had been put through but when the details of her actions came to light, some people began to have different thoughts especially recently. 

Nicholas was sent down for life and Gypsy got 7 years due to her past abuse. Debates continued for years as to was it right that she was put behind bars or was she just an abused victim who deserved 100% support and sympathy? Whatever the mix of opinions were, Gypsy was released in December of 2023.

It was revealed that she had been filming her life behind bars and her story had been covered many times in books, documentaries and dramas. When she came out of prison the majority of comments that I had seen online and the general opinion was one of sympathy and support. However, here in April 2024, the tone has since changed. It appears that Gypsy had quite a few admirers writing to her whilst she was in prison and had been engaged to a guy called Ken Urker. Apparently she had cooled things with Ken and moved onto another guy called Ryan Anderson who was a teacher. Whilst developing a relationship with Ryan, Gypsy was still in contact with Ken and still had some feelings for him but ended up marrying Ryan. 

Ryan stood by Gypsy and supported her whilst she was in prison and worked hard to support her release. Having seen how she was now a married woman to a teacher and had appeared to have grown and spoke openly of her involvement in her mother's murder, she was released. 

The couple were everywhere in December, TV chat shows, endless interviews, everywhere on social media. They lapped up all of the attention and money that poured their way. I, like a lot of people, thought it was wonderful that Gypsy had this supportive husband and it was now time for her to start living her life and maybe having a family. But fast forward just a few months later and now Ryan has been dumped, Ken is back on the scene (having apparently never left cause she admits they had been in contact the whole time) and Gypsy is promoting the next season of her documentary whilst recovering from undergoing plastic surgery. She's also been openly out and about in front of staged paparazzi shots, cigarette in one hand, holding Ken's hand in the other and the pair have matching tattoos. All in full display of Ryan and the world. 

Sure, we all wanted to see her happy and live her life but something just doesn't sit well with a lot of people. When a lot of the public were starting to turn on Gypsy's thirst for attention and fame (you have to admit it) she announced that she was going to step away from the public life and go and enjoy her life but that has since changed. It appears that she is trying to be a celebrity and every time you look on your phone or browse social media, she pops up in another interview and it leaves a sour taste in your mouth because the reality is, she was part of the horrific murder of her mother and has made (and continues to make) money from crime. Obviously the media has a huge part to play in this because they are giving her a platform and printing stories with her as well as arranging paparazzi shots. But isn't this all just in poor taste? By all means, give your side of your story like you have done in your book and you've made a lot of money but why the attempt at trying to be the next Kardashian? 

Even the situation with Ryan is being used for publicity and attention ''If you want to find out what happened with me and Ryan, tune in to the next season of my documentary and all will be revealed''. 

I've talked many times on this blog about how serial killers can be glamourized in movies but this situation too is in poor taste. I remember reading a comment that a young girl had written underneath Gypsy's plastic surgery post ''Do I have to off my Mom so I can get money, fame and a BBL?'' Let's hope that younger people don't look at Gypsy Rose Blanchard's story and think that it's the way to go. How many times have we seen guys like Stephen Griffiths, the infamous 'Crossbow Cannibal' who felt himself a loner and watched the glamorization of the likes of Ted Bundy and wanted books and movies to made about him too. He thought that becoming a serial killer like Bundy would help him be famous and make a name for himself. 

In the true crime community a lot of us are here to share the stories of these horrific cases and tell the victim's story and to raise awareness for unsolved cases. Never have I glamourized a cold-blooded killer in my blogs. I'm not a fan of serial killers, I write about them and know a lot about them but I come from a psychological aspect. I studied criminology and psychology at university and worked with victims of crime. I'm not on Youtube, I'm focused on becoming a writer. I'm wondering what my readers are thinking about the Gypsy Rose Blanchard situation. Do you think this is acceptable behaviour? and what of Ken and Ryan? are they along for the ride for financial reasons and fame? 

Some people believe that Gypsy should still be in prison and have described her as a master manipulator who has fooled us all and Ryan was another person that she used, do you think this to be the case? 

Nobody is saying that Gypsy did not go through utter hell with her mother, every sympathy is there for those years of suffering but at what point do we say.....''hold on, what's with dumping the supportive husband just months after being released, acting like a celebrity and getting plastic surgery?''. 

Gypsy had a lot of time behind bars to think about what she wanted to do when she was released, could it be that she thought that marrying Ryan (the teacher) would be a good look for her but planned all along to hook up with Ken on the outside, splash the cash and get plastic surgery, she was only released in December and has done all of this already, it does make you wonder?

As always, I'm interested to hear your thoughts on all of this. You're welcome to leave any comments below, contact me on my Socials or drop me an email at jocaledoniankitty@gmail.com 

I hope to see you in my next post, take care x