# 254: Matthew Pyke

An episode of [Morbidology](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1463979546), 29 Apr 2024, 50 min.

Audio: https://prefix.up.audio/s/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/s.gum.fm/s-610c47a4222ada0024acb2d8/pscrb.fm/rss/p/prfx.byspotify.com/e/tracking.swap.fm/track/2IMk17EdnEqyRhJTIpIU/claritaspod.com/measure/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/59342624/morbidology_254_matthew_pyke.mp3

In today’s digital age, obsessions can spital into existence through the vast expanses of the internet. They can even blur the lines between virtual fantasy and reality. In September of 2008, detectives in Nottingham, in the United Kingdom, were investigating a murder when their focus shifted to the online world of gaming. SPONSORS - 310 Nutrition: They have the hydration game down to a tee. Check out their water enhancers, lemonade, and milkshakes! They are offering 50% off up to $100 with code "MORBIDOLOGY" at: https://310nutrition.com/ FÜM: Start the Good Habit at https://tryfum.com/morbidology to save 10% off the Journey Pack today. SmartLabels: Say goodbye to the headache of misplaced items & hello to streamlined organization with SmartLabels. Just search "SmartLabels" on Amazon, buy their QR labels & then download their app! SHOW NOTES - https://morbidology-the-podcast-254-matthew-pyke PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/morbidology YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/morbidology Audio Credit: Epidemic Sound Evening of Chaos - Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Empty Reflections - ErikMMusic - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgq4SPKHlyI A Mothers Sacrifice - OurMusicBox - https://ourmusicbox.com/ Dark Tranquility - Anno Domini Beats - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6mBav72Ak Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/morbidology--3527306/support.

## Transcript

[0:34] Police believe Matthew Pike knew his killer. They're now examining the possibility that they
[0:40] met on the internet. Nottingham, which is located in the East Midlands region
[0:48] of England, has a rich history that dates back to at least the sixth
[0:52] century. Again prominence in medieval times as a center for the production of textiles
[0:59] and LEAs, contributing significantly to England's economy, it progressed over the years,
[1:07] becoming a hub the boasts of a vibrant cultural scene, with theaters, music
[1:11] venues and art galleries. One of the key institutions of the city is Nottingham
[1:17] Trent University, a dynamic and fast forward thinking university with a strong reputation for
[1:23] excellence in teaching and research. The university traces its origins back to the nineteenth
[1:30] century, but has evolved over the years to become one of the UK's leading
[1:34] universities. Students in Nottingham reside in a variety of accommodations scattered throughout the city,
[1:42] ranging from university halls to privately rented apartments. The city bosa plethora of
[1:49] bars and restaurants, ensuring that there's always something happening at night. From local
[1:53] pub quizes to karaoke nights. For those who opt for local rentals, proximate
[2:00] limited to the city center is always a key factor. North Sherwood Street,
[2:05] in particular, was a favored location amongst students due to its affordable Victorian era
[2:10] flats and close proximity to both the university and the bustling city center. On
[2:15] the nineteenth of September two thousand and eight, Naomi Rodgers was making her way
[2:21] back to her shared flat on North Sherwood Street, having recently relocated from Saint
[2:27] Anne's. Naomi had chosen North Sherwood Street with the belief that it offered a
[2:31] safer environment. Her decision had stemmed from a scary experience in Saint Anne's,
[2:38] where she had been mugged. The street's popularity amongst students was evident, but
[2:43] as Naomi neared the Orange Tree Pub, she was met by a scene of
[2:46] disarray. Flashing lights illuminated the area, with police cars lining the streets and
[2:53] cordons preventing access. Matthew Pike was born to parents Kim and William on the
[3:15] twenty third of August in nineteen eighty eight. The family chose to settle down
[3:20] in Stone Market, acquaint and picturesque town. Nestled in Suffolk, England.
[3:25] As the youngest member of the family with an older brother named Adam, Matthew
[3:30] brought joy and laughter into their lives from the very beginning. Described by his
[3:36] parents as an easygoing baby child and teenager, Matthew possessed a quiet and reserved
[3:40] demeanor, yet his sharp wit and infectious humor never failed to brighten the atmosphere
[3:46] at home. His magnetic personality extended beyond the confines of his family, as
[3:52] he was known among his friends as the ultimate joker, somebody who was always
[3:57] ready to lighten the mood. His closest friends, Andy fondly recalled, this
[4:02] guy was one of my best friends at school. He was a great and
[4:05] very intelligent guy, a wicked sense of humor, and friends who loved him.
[4:12] Matthew attended Comb's Middle School in Stowe Market, where he left a lasting
[4:15] impression on both his peers and teachers alike. The school's head teacher, Ian
[4:21] chrissel fondly remembered Matthew, describing him as a very conscientious student and liked by
[4:28] all members of staff. Then, as Matthew entered his teenage years, his
[4:31] fascination with computers deepened. He delved into web design and developed a keen interest
[4:39] in journalism. As his mother recalled, we didn't know anything he did on
[4:44] the computer. We just know he was good on anything to do with computers.
[4:48] He was obsessed with it. Really. Matthew had always been drawn to
[4:53] video games, from classics like game Boy and PlayStation to computer based games.
[5:00] However, his true obsession ignited when he discovered Advance Wars, a video game
[5:04] that debuted on the game Boy Advance in two thousand and one and rapidly gained
[5:09] popularity. In Advanced Wars, players command various military units on grid based maps,
[5:15] engaging in strategic battles against enemy forces. The gameplay involves capturing series and
[5:23] bases, deploying units, strategically managing resources, and exploiting terrain advantages to gain
[5:30] victory. Matthew could spend ors immersed in the game, lagging it to a
[5:34] more technical version of chess. The player takes on the persona of a commanding
[5:41] officer and then chooses from a lineup for different characters, each with their own
[5:46] special abilities and weaknesses. Matthew relished the challenge of playing against opponents from across
[5:51] the world, gradually building up his army and honing his strategic skills. The
[5:58] game boasted a substantial fan base, and Matthew actively engaged with various online forums
[6:02] dedicated to it. Under the Elias shade, he eagerly shared his insights and
[6:09] strategies with fellow enthusiasts. Alongside his gaming pursuits, Matthew showcased his prolific writing
[6:15] skills in the field of science fiction by contributing to fanfiction dot Net. Then,
[6:23] at the age of sixteen, Matthew crossed paths with a girl his own
[6:27] age on a forum dedicated to Advance Wars. Her name was Joanna and she
[6:32] came from Selby in Yorkshire. Instantly hitting it off, Matthew eagerly anticipated their
[6:39] daily online conversations, often rushing home from school to connect with Joanna online.
[6:46] Their connection flourished, prompting Matthew to make the journey to Selby under the guise
[6:50] of meeting a friend for a concert. He was a little bit embarrassed to
[6:55] admit the truth to his parents. However, upon meeting Joanna in person,
[7:00] their chemistry was undeniable and they quickly transformed their relationship from virtual to real world.
[7:08] As their bond deepened, they introduced each other to the respect of families,
[7:12] both sets of parents unanimously declaring them the perfect match. Much like Matthew,
[7:18] Johanna shared a passion for computers, and they often spent at nights immersed
[7:23] in advance wars together. As the first three years of their relationship flew by,
[7:29] the couple found themselves graduating and preparing to embark on their university journey.
[7:34] They wanted to be together permanently, so made the decision to both enroll at
[7:39] Nottingham Trent University. So by two thousand and eight, life was brimming with
[7:46] promise for twenty year old Matthew Pike. He and Joanna had recently settled in
[7:51] two grade two listed Victorian flat above the Orange Tree Pub on North Sherwood Street
[7:58] in the city of Nottingham. Matthew had also just taken the leap to pursue
[8:03] degree in computer science at Nottingham Trent University, which was scheduled to begin in
[8:07] October of two thousand and eight. He had previously studied physics, but realized
[8:13] that it wasn't for him and the computer science would be a much better fit.
[8:18] As for Joanna. She was studying environmental science and she worked part time
[8:24] as a sales assistant at Rohan in Nottingham. Matthew and Joanna enjoyed a simple,
[8:30] yet fulfilling life. They both held part time jobs, with Matthew working
[8:35] as a teaching assistant as part of a placement under the University Student Associates scheme.
[8:41] While they lived above a bar and just a stone's throw away from many
[8:46] others, they preferred to stay at home. They sometimes went for walks during
[8:50] the day, but they much preferred to be in each other's company rather than
[8:54] partying. At night, the young couple liked to read books or carl up
[9:00] in front of the television to watch Top Gear and q I. But life
[9:05] for Matthew and Joanna would soon take a dramatic turn. On the evening of
[9:22] the nineteenth of September two thousand and eight, Joanna was returning to the flat
[9:26] she shared with Matthew after her work day. Turning the corner, her eyes
[9:31] caught the side of the familiar facade of the pub below, its lights and
[9:35] activity brightening up the otherwise dark road. She walked up the staircase to the
[9:41] first floor and fumbled in her handbag for her keys. She inserted the key
[9:48] into the lock and turned it. When she opened up the door, she
[9:52] was surprised to say that the flat was engulfed in darkness. Matthew should have
[9:58] been at home, but the darkness and quietness told her otherwise. It wasn't
[10:03] like Matthew do not let her know if she was going out somewhere. The
[10:07] only song that Joanna could hear was distant murmurs of voices from the pub below.
[10:15] Joanna switched on the lights, with the illumination unveiled a trail of blood.
[10:20] Joanna's heart pointed in her chest as she called out to Matthew, but
[10:26] was met by silence. Johanna stepped forward, with her gaze fixed on the
[10:31] trail of blood. It led her towards the bedroom, where blood was spattered
[10:37] on the walls and smeared across shoes and trainers. As Joanna drew closer to
[10:45] the bedroom, her eyes were drawn to the crumpled figure on the floor.
[10:50] It was Matthew, dressed only in his dressing gown, his body surrounded by
[10:54] a pull of blood. Joanna rushed to his side and reached out to touch
[11:00] him, only to recoil at how cold his body was. Her eyes frantically
[11:07] searched for any sign of life, but it quickly became clear that Matthew was
[11:11] dead. There were stab wounds peppered all across his body. Joanna reached for
[11:18] her mobile phone and immediately called nine nine nine. The paramedics were the first
[11:28] to arrive, but it was clear that nothing could be done for Matthew.
[11:33] He had evidently been dead for some time. The police arrived shortly thereafter,
[11:39] followed by forensic experts. Matthew's body was documented and photographed before he was transported
[11:46] to the mortuary, where it was discovered that he had sustained eighty six stab
[11:52] wounds. The flat was cordoned off with crime scene tape while two uniformed officers
[11:58] stood guard outside. The perimeter was extended from the junction of shakes, securing
[12:03] the area from prying eyes. Inside the flat, there was no forced entry,
[12:09] indicating that the killer had been let in by Matthew himself. The living
[12:15] room had been ransacked, and it appeared as though several items had been stolen.
[12:20] On the side of the computer, the forensic experts noticed something written in
[12:24] blood. It was the letters D A and V. Based on the blood
[12:35] evidence inside the flood, it appeared as though Mathew had been attacked as soon
[12:39] as he opened up the front door. He was then pursued throughout the flat
[12:43] by the killer as he fought desperately for his life. As he collapsed close
[12:50] to the bedroom, the killer appeared to kneel beside him and continue their attack.
[12:56] Initially, there was speculation of a robbery god wrong, but as detectives
[13:01] meticulously pieced together the evidence, doubts began to surface. The ransacking, although
[13:09] chaotic, seemed haphazard, with valuable items left untouched. It became increasingly clear
[13:16] to detectives that Matthew had been deliberately singled out and the chaos within the home
[13:22] was a calculated attempt to mislead detectives. Detective Chief Inspector Tony Haron, who
[13:30] was leading the investigation, commented, we are exploring all possible avenues to establish
[13:35] her as responsible for Matthew's murder. All nine of inquiry is that this was
[13:41] not a random attack and that Matthew may have known the person who attacked him.
[13:46] As the investigation intensified, detectives diligently combed through CCTV footage from the vicinity
[13:52] of the flat. They were hopeful that a camera might have captured the movements
[13:58] of Matthew's killer, either approaching the scene or hastily departing from it. Given
[14:03] the frenzied nature of the murder, which included eighty six stab wounds, the
[14:09] killer would likely be drenched in blood in a bed. To broaden their search,
[14:13] detectives issued a public appeal urging anyone who may have spotted an individual with
[14:18] a bloodstained face, body or clothing to come forward quickly. Meanwhile, as
[14:24] detective stealth deeper into their investigation, they sought out Joanna to glean additional insights
[14:31] into Matthew's life. Their aim was to uncover any potential enemies or persons who
[14:37] might have harbored ill intentions towards him. There was one person who struck out
[14:43] in Joanna's mind immediately, and it just so happened that the first three letters
[14:48] of their name had been written in blood on the side of the computer.
[14:56] Joanna told detectives that she and Matthew had said up their own form, which
[15:01] was named War Central and was dedicated to the game Advanced Wars. There were
[15:07] around fifty devoted fans of the game. We actively participated in the discussions on
[15:13] the form, but over time this virtual community burgeoned to a melting pot of
[15:18] friendships, drawing enthusiasts from various corners of the world. It evolved beyond a
[15:24] mere platform for game related discourse and waved itself into the fabric of their daily
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[17:03] and promo code morbidology. Participants freely shared snippets of their personal narratives, transcending
[17:12] gaming to touch upon topics as diverse as relationships, family dynamics, current events,
[17:19] and academic pursuits. The forum had fostered genuine connections, underscoring the profound
[17:26] impact of online interactions. However, amidst this it remained an inherent truth that
[17:33] the identities behind digital avatars often obscured the true nature of individuals. It was
[17:41] mostly a male dominated world, and as the only woman in the forum,
[17:45] Joanna was a hit with the men. Among the online community of Advanced Wars
[17:52] enthusiasts was a man who went by the username Eagle the Lightning. While Matthew
[17:57] and Joanna didn't have extend if knowledge about Eagle the Lightning, they knew that
[18:03] he was German and that his first name was David. Through Joanna's interactions with
[18:08] David, she discovered he had a troubled past. His parents had abandoned him
[18:14] at the tender age of ten, leaving him to be raised by his grandmother.
[18:19] Joanna empathized with David's story, and their conversations soon transitioned from the public
[18:25] forum to private messages. Despite David's expressed interest in pursuing more than a friendship,
[18:32] Joanna remained loyal to her relationship with Matthew. Undeterred by Joanna's commitment to
[18:38] Matthew, David persisted in his pursuit, seeking to deepen their connection. He
[18:45] sought out Joanna on Facebook. Upon viewing her profile photo, David found himself
[18:51] captivated. Joanna embodied everything that he admired, from her love for computers and
[18:57] video games to her kindness. Plus, Joanna had red hair, and David
[19:04] had a thing for redheads. This only fueled his desire to learn more about
[19:10] her and ultimately pursue a romantic relationship. One afternoon, upon logging onto the
[19:18] form, Joanna was confronted with a message from David telling her that he had
[19:22] a crush on her. Joanna replied, I'm flattered, but nothing will come
[19:29] of it. I've been with Matthew for two and a half years. It
[19:33] was evident that Joanna wasn't interested, but David's persistence knew no bonds. He
[19:41] bombarded Joanna with incessant inquiries about Matthew's whereabouts and their relationship status. Refusing to
[19:48] accept her rejection. Driven by an insatiable desire to possess every detail of Joanna's
[19:53] life, David delved into the depths of social media. He utilized his computer
[20:00] skills to unearth information about her past education and even her social circle. He
[20:08] found her online journal and read through every single page. Joanna's sense of privacy
[20:15] was shattered as David's relentless stoking extended beyond the confines of the online form.
[20:22] Then, on the third of May two thousand and eight, Joanna was met
[20:26] with yet another unsettling intrusion into her personal space. David had posted a handwritten
[20:33] letter on the form that was addressed to Joanna, Professing his unwavering devotion.
[20:38] He had written, I love you, Jojo more than anything else in my
[20:44] life. I shouldn't, but I can't help it, and to be honest,
[20:48] it's a great feeling. You're my first thought when I wake up and
[20:52] my last when I go to sleep. Joanna was horrified to see that the
[20:56] letter contained references to intimate aspects of her life, such as her school,
[21:03] friends and hobbies. It became apparent that David's knowledge was gleaned from his invasive
[21:08] online surveillance, but this was only the beginning of his disturbing obsession. Although
[21:22] Matthew found David's interest in his girlfriend irritating, he chose to overlook it.
[21:27] Both he and Joanna believed that David meant no harm, assuming he would eventually
[21:32] realize this himself. However, David's infactuation with Joanna persisted and escalated over time.
[21:41] Eventually, he managed to obtain Joanna's mobile number and called her on the
[21:45] thirteenth of June, claiming that he only wished to discuss four matters. Then
[21:52] the following day, while Matthew and Joanna were on vacation in Devon with her
[21:56] parents, David sees the opportunity to gather more in about them. He began
[22:02] messaging other form members privately, attempting to ascertain their whereabouts. He had gathered
[22:08] that they lived above a pub in Nottingham, close to a park, but
[22:12] he wasn't sure of the exact location. He had searched on Google Maps,
[22:18] but there was a handful of places that matched the description, so David reached
[22:25] out to a man named Gavin Sillett on the FORM, who claimed not to
[22:29] know their whereabouts, at least at first. However, as their conversation unfolded
[22:34] throughout the day, Gavin eventually disclosed Matthew and Joanna's addressed to David. That
[22:41] night, David posted on the form his intention to travel to Nottingham on the
[22:47] twenty first of June, a post that Matthew and Joanna missed since they were
[22:51] still on holiday. Their knowledge of David's plans only surfaced on the twenty eeth
[22:56] of June, when another member of the form, James Meller, texted them
[23:02] about it. They brushed it off as a joke, thinking that David would
[23:07] never actually make the trip over. After all, he barely knew either of
[23:12] them, or at least so they thought. The couple's doubts dissolved when they
[23:18] returned home on the twenty first to find a man sitting outside the pub below
[23:23] their flat. He approached them and told them that he was David aka Eagle
[23:32] the Lightning. Matthew warmly welcomed David inside, but Joanna couldn't shake her apprehension
[23:41] David had been unsettling her for months, and finding him outside their flat only
[23:45] heightened her on ease. Despite Matthew's hospitality, Joanna began reaching out to local
[23:52] hotels to find alternative accommodations for David, but unfortunately everything was already booked up
[24:00] for the night. Matthew told David that he could stay in their flat for
[24:03] the night and they would help him find a hotel first thing in the morning.
[24:10] When Matthew left the room, David told Joanna that he hoped he hadn't
[24:14] given her the wrong impression, and that he wanted to keep seeing her.
[24:18] She told him that he wasn't weird, but that he had freaked her out
[24:22] a little bit since he had managed to find out where she lived. That
[24:27] night, Joanna found it difficult to sleep. Her mind was consumed by worries
[24:33] about David, who was sleeping on the floor at the foot of her bed.
[24:38] In the middle of the night, she sat up in bed and glanced
[24:41] over towards David. He was staring directly at her, and she wondered if
[24:48] he had been doing that the entire night. The following morning, Joanna informed
[24:52] David that she had booked him into her room at the local premiere inn.
[24:57] Matthew and Joanna try to stare clear of David while he was in Nottingham,
[25:03] and he reached out to several other members of the Form. Some of them
[25:07] agreed to meet with him, but it soon became clear to them that the
[25:11] only thing he wanted to talk about was Joanna. Following David's trip to Nottingham,
[25:21] his fixation on Joanna only intensified, a behavior noted by other Form members.
[25:27] Each interaction with them on the form seemed to revolve solely around Joanna and
[25:33] how much he loved her, causing discomfort among the Form members. Some of
[25:38] them chatted amongst themselves and they all said the same thing, that David was
[25:44] weird and they needed to get rid of him. David eventually caught on that
[25:48] he was being spoken about by the other Form members and it made him furious,
[25:55] but his anger was solely directed at Matthew. David had messaged another FORM
[26:02] member a list of people who he said needed to be a raised. At
[26:07] the top of the list was Matthew, and David had said, seriously,
[26:11] the whole thing will end in at least one of us three dying. He
[26:17] then added, I'm developing a strong desire to grab his head and smash it
[26:22] against a wall. Then, on the sixteenth of July, David made another
[26:26] reappearance in Nottingham. By this point, Matthew was acutely aware of how David's
[26:32] presence affected Juanna. Learning that David had actively sought out their address and continued
[26:38] to focus on Joanna in his online interactions only confirmed his obsession. When David
[26:45] showed up at their flat again that afternoon, Matthew bluntly instructed him to leave
[26:51] and to never contact him or Joanna again. Two days later, David returned
[26:56] to Germany. Soon and after, Matthew took to the forum to list nineteen
[27:03] reasons why he hated David. He had written, I hate you because you
[27:08] decided to come into our lives. I hate you forever laying eyes on the
[27:12] girl I have dedicated my life to. I hate you for your desperation.
[27:18] Whyever, David persisted, continuing to past other form members and prying for information
[27:25] about Matthew and Joanna. Then on the thirty first of July, he borrowed
[27:30] his uncle's car and drove to Nottingham through the Channel Tunnel. In the early
[27:37] hours of the following morning, at round two forty five a m he was
[27:41] involved in a car accident on the M eleven North, Colliding with an HGV.
[27:47] David's uncle's car veered off the road and into a field, sustaining a
[27:52] wrist injury. David was attended to by an ambulance and spent the night in
[27:56] the hospital. While here, he also spoke with police and claimed that he
[28:03] was en route to see his girlfriend in Nottingham. Despite his car being totaled,
[28:08] David remained undeterred. After being discharged from the hospital, the following morning,
[28:15] he promptly boarded a train to Nottingham. Upon arrival, he headed to
[28:21] an internet cafe, where he contacted Gavin, another FORM member, claiming that
[28:26] he was in Nottingham to see Joanna. Despite Gavin's attempts to raise him with
[28:30] him labeling his behavior as stalker like, David persisted. Gavin immediately reached out
[28:38] to Matthew and warned him that David was back in Nottingham. When Joanna disembarked
[28:45] from the boss near her flat that afternoon, she was shocked to find David
[28:48] waiting for her. She fled in fear, managing to reach the safety of
[28:53] her flat, but David continued to reach out to both her and Matthew.
[29:00] The following day, Matthew and Joanna reluctantly agreed to make David at a local
[29:03] park, hoping to persuade him to leave them alone for good. However,
[29:08] when they arrived, they were met with David's emotional distress. Despite struggling to
[29:15] communicate through tears and dry heaths, Joanna firmly reiterated her lack of interest in
[29:22] him. It appeared that David finally understood. He left Nottingham the next day.
[29:29] And returned home to Germany. Matthew and Joanna believed that they had seen
[29:34] the last of him, but they soon realized that shaking him off wouldn't be
[29:38] that easy. As soon as David landed back in Germany, he began to
[29:51] repeatedly call Joanna, prompting her to block him. David was furious and started
[29:57] to bombard her with messages and three rats via other formats. He told her
[30:03] that if she continued to ignore him, there would be consequences. Have you
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[32:24] Joanna eventually unblocked David, hoping that she could raise him with him,
[32:30] but he wouldn't listen. She advised him to say a psychiatrist, and David
[32:35] responded by telling her that he was going to come to Nottingham and to kill
[32:38] himself in front of her. She was terrified of what he was capable of,
[32:45] and eventually David was blocked and banned from the form. Joanna and Matthew
[32:51] decided that if David ever turned up with their flat again, they would immediately
[32:54] call police. It seemed that he had possibly gotten the message, but then
[33:00] in September, David reached out to Matthew with one final e mail. It
[33:06] read There's something I would like to give to you. I'm not going to
[33:10] say what it is though, but you will love it. After learning about
[33:21] the disturbing behavior of David, detectives were keen to learn more. When the
[33:27] couple's flat had been searched, it appeared as though Marthew had tried to write
[33:30] his name. The letters D A V were scrawled in blood on the side
[33:36] of the computer, presumably written by Marthew before he died. It was as
[33:42] if he was trying to name his killer. The detectives launched in that tracing
[33:47] operation, and it didn't take them long to figure out that David was a
[33:51] twenty one year old man named David Heisse who lived close to Frankfurt in Germany.
[33:58] After Matthew was found dead, he had posted on Joanna's Facebook, I
[34:02] will pray for you, Joe. You must be suffering. I'm sorry for
[34:06] causing you so much trouble lately. I hope you won't lose all your hope.
[34:10] We'll be there for you. David had also reached out to some other
[34:15] people on the form as soon as Matthew was killed. Everybody on the form
[34:21] suspected that David was involved, but that didn't deter him from contacting them.
[34:28] Among the people he contacted was David Quinn. He told him people are willing
[34:34] to go to the funeral, and seriously, if I knew the date,
[34:37] I would go there. You think I did it, and so to a
[34:40] few people. I believe David Heyst was born on the nineteenth of June nineteen
[34:50] eighty seven in Frankfort, West Germany, to Bolivian mother and a German father.
[34:57] His childhood was marked by upheaval, beginning with with his parent's divorce when
[35:00] he was just six years old. Following the divorce, David went to live
[35:05] with his grandmother as his mother remarried and his father's presence in his life became
[35:09] sporadic. Raised primarily by his grandmother, David experienced a sense of isolation and
[35:17] detachment from his family. Despite living relatively close to his mother, she struggled
[35:23] to find the time for him. Further contributing to his solitude, his father's
[35:30] absence exacerbated his feelings of loneliness, leaving him to navigate childhood largely on his
[35:37] own. Throughout his school years, David grappled with extreme shyness, earning him
[35:42] the label of an outsider among his peers. Even into adulthood at the age
[35:47] of twenty one, David's bedroom retained a distinctly childlike atmosphere, adorned with cartoon
[35:54] wallpaper, bunk beds, and a collection of Mister Men books. While holding
[36:00] a job as an office junior, David's true sanctuary lay within the digital realm
[36:05] of his computer. He devoted countless ours to online interactions, especially on the
[36:12] form established by Matthew and Joanna. Immersed in virtual worlds and global conversations,
[36:20] David found solace in connection within the confines of his screen. Despite an attempt
[36:24] to find purpose in military service by enrolling in the German Army, David's tenure
[36:30] was short lived. He was expelled after just two weeks after he was deemed
[36:36] mentally unstable Following his online interactions with Matthew and Joanna. David began weaving a
[36:43] fabricated narrative in his offline life. He told his colleagues he had a girlfriend
[36:50] from Nottingham and spun elaborate plans of relocating to be with her and pursuing studies
[36:55] in the area. But detectives were closing in on him, and on the
[37:00] twenty fourth of September, David was tracked down near Frankfurt and arrested on suspicion
[37:07] of murder. After David's arrest, detective stealth deeper into its movements following its
[37:13] departure from Nottingham in July. They secured a search warrant for his home and
[37:19] came across blood stained clothing and bags. His computer revealed even more significant findings
[37:25] connecting him to Matthew's murder. It was revealed that on the evening of the
[37:30] eleventh of September, he booked a flight to Birmingham for the eighteenth. Subsequently,
[37:37] he revisited the love letter he had written for Joanna back in May,
[37:40] scrutinizing its contents. The night before his flight, David connected with his sister,
[37:46] requesting her to log onto the War's central website on the nineteenth. Detectives
[37:52] deduced that this was an attempt to establish an alibi, suggesting that he was
[37:58] online in Germany during the time of the murder. Further analysis of his computer
[38:04] actively uncovered alarming details. That same day, David had created two documents.
[38:12] One bore the title of confession and it masqueraded as a suicide note allegedly written
[38:17] by Matthew. Within the note, Matthew had expressed a loss of love for
[38:23] Joanna and said goodbye to his family. While the note was traced to David's
[38:29] computer, its intricate knowledge of Matthew's family suggested a disturbing level of insight possessed
[38:36] by David. The second document was titled I made a decision and it was
[38:43] a suicide note written by himself. In the note, he said that Matthew
[38:47] had driven him to take his own life. The detectives continued in their investigation
[38:54] and learned that on the eighteenth of September, David caught a boss to Frankfurt
[38:58] Airport. He told his family that he was going to a party, but
[39:01] he flew to Birmingham via Amsterdam and arrived shortly after nine pm that night.
[39:08] CCTV footage captured him catching a train to Birmingham and then walking over to David
[39:14] and Joanna's flat. In the CCTV footage, it was clear that he was
[39:19] wearing multiple layers of clothing, presumably to change out of the bloody clothing.
[39:23] Following the murder, David slept overnight on the roof of the flat. Joanna
[39:30] left for work the next morning just before seven a m. And at about
[39:35] seven thirty am, David climbed on from the roof. Some minutes later,
[39:40] Matthew was attacked and killed as he opened up the front door. Initially,
[39:45] David denied any involvement in Matthew's murder, claiming that he wasn't even in Nottingham
[39:51] at the time of the crime. He told the tectives to look at his
[39:54] online activity to show that he was in Germany on the form. At the
[39:59] time, the detectives already knew that he had asked his sister to lock on.
[40:06] When confronted with the weight of the evidence meticulously gathered by detectives, David
[40:10] eventually altered his narrative. According to David's revised account, he admitted to traveling
[40:16] to Nottingham and visiting Matthew and Joanna's flat that morning. He claimed that his
[40:22] initial intention was merely to beat Matthew up. He described knocking on the front
[40:28] door and said that when Matthew opened, he tried to punch him. According
[40:34] to David, Matthew turned around and ran back into the flat, and a
[40:37] fist fire ensued, but David said the punches weren't landing. He said that
[40:43] Marthe was being abusive to him, so he told him to shut up and
[40:45] listen. At this moment, David said the knife he had brought along with
[40:50] him slipped out of his waistband and Matthew tried to grab it. David asserted
[40:55] that he only sought to defend himself by attempting to push Matthew's arms away fearing
[41:00] potential harm. He recounted a chaotic struggle, alleging that he stumbled backwards and
[41:07] collided with the table, causing the knife to fall from Matthew's grasp. In
[41:12] David's version of events, he'd described thwarting Matthew's attempts to retrieve the knife by
[41:16] restraining him physically. He claimed that Matthew's desperate actions, including kicking him in
[41:22] the back, fueled his own determination to secure the weapon first. Fearing for
[41:27] his own safety. He said that he was so afraid that when he finally
[41:31] got his hands on the knife, he stabbed Matthew repeatedly. He said that
[41:37] he only stopped when Matthew stopped struggling. After David's extradition back to the United
[41:43] Kingdom, he was charged with the murder of Matthew. On the twenty sixth
[41:45] of November. He was ordered to stand trial, which commenced on the twenty
[41:51] eighth of April two thousand and nine at Nottingham Crown Court. Accompanied by his
[41:57] defense team, David entered the courtroom to take his place alongside them. The
[42:01] public gallery swelled with Matthew's graving loved ones As the trial proceedings unfolded. During
[42:08] the opening statements, prosecutors presented their case to the jury. Prosecutor Sean Smith
[42:14] outlined David's disturbing obsession with Joanna and detailed his alleged plan to kill Matthew while
[42:20] staging at to appear as a suicide. Prosecutor Smith informed the jury that the
[42:25] printed suicide note was discovered in David's suit case as well as on his computer.
[42:31] However, because of the frenzied nature of the murder, it was apparent
[42:35] that Matthew hadn't taken his own life. The prosecutor said that David then resorted
[42:39] to ransacking the home to give the appearance the murder was a robbery gone wrong.
[42:45] According to the prosecution's narrative, David waited on the rooftop of the flat
[42:50] overnight, observing Joanna leaving for work the next morning before launching his attack.
[42:55] He stated, it's the prosecution's case that masthis had absolutely no chance at that
[43:01] door where that blood is. He was stabbed right away by this defendant.
[43:07] After Matthew was dead, David changed out of his bloody clothing and stole a
[43:12] pair of Matthew's shoes in a baseball cap, then embarked on his return trip
[43:16] to Germany and discarded the murder weapon along the way. David's defense wasn't that
[43:22] he hadn't carried out the murder, but instead that he had acted in self
[43:27] defense. Joanna was the first witness to testify on behalf of the prosecution,
[43:32] and she detailed David's obsession with her. She said that when he first showed
[43:37] up at their flat and slept overnight, she was petrified. She described going
[43:43] into the bathroom and crying. After he left, the uneasy feeling never left
[43:49] her. She said to the jury, I was afraid that he was going
[43:53] to turn up again, and I didn't know what he was capable of.
[43:59] Johanna testified that she began to blank David, hoping that he would get the
[44:02] hint. She was asked why she didn't just block him, and she replied,
[44:08] I was trying to calm things down. If I blocked him, it
[44:12] would have made it worse and made him come to Nottingham. Some of the
[44:15] other users of the form testified against David, detailing to the jury his disturbing
[44:21] obsession and comments about wanting to race Matthew. David himself testified on his own
[44:29] behalf, telling the jury the same thing that he had told detectives. He
[44:36] said that he had brought the knife along with him that day because he wanted
[44:38] to be prepared. He testified he might attack me and get the upper hand.
[44:45] He said that it was his intention to beat Matthew up so badly that
[44:50] he needed to go to hospital. When he was shown a photograph of Matthew's
[44:53] computer with the letters D A v smeared in blood, he seemed surprised.
[45:00] He denied that he had written it and said that Matthew couldn't have written it
[45:04] either, because he was dead when he left. Ultimately, the jury sided
[45:08] with the prosecution and found David Heys guilty of the murderer of Matthew Pike.
[45:15] The sentencing phase followed, and the judge sentenced him to life in prison with
[45:21] a minimum of eighteen years. In handing down the sentence, the judge told
[45:25] David, the fact that your motive for murder was so bizarre doesn't make your
[45:31] killing of Matthew any less serious. He said it was evident that David was
[45:37] unable to cope with rejection, telling him, I have no doubt that at
[45:42] some stage you decided that Matthew had to die, and that your killing of
[45:46] him involved a substantial degree of both planning and premeditation, which is a significant
[45:52] aggravating factor. Following day of its sentencing to life in prison, disturbing revelation
[46:10] surfaced regarding his persistent fixation on Joanna. Despite his incarceration, he continued to
[46:17] harbor delusions of a future with her, evidenced by a letter he penned from
[46:22] behind bars. In the letter, he said he hoped they could be reunited.
[46:30] Meanwhile, Johanna steadfastly maintained the War Central's forms In the years following Matthew's
[46:35] tragic murder, she dedicated herself to preserving his memory, creating a heartfelt tribute
[46:42] page where visitors could share their cherished recollections of him. The outpouring of affection
[46:49] within the form testified to the enduring impact Matthew had on the community, united
[46:53] by their shared passion for the video game. Each year, Joanna wished to
[47:00] Matthew Happy anniversary and happy Birthday. Matthew's mother even joined the form so that
[47:06] she could post on his wall. However, in a bittersweet turn of events.
[47:10] In two thousand and eighteen, Joanna announced the closure of the forum,
[47:15] marking the end of an era with a poignant message. She wrote, on
[47:22] the first of March twenty and eighteen, War Central will close and become another
[47:27] corner of the Internet, remembered only by the membership and archiving websites. I'd
[47:32] like to thank you for all the good times and good friendships that were formed
[47:37] over the ten years War Central existed. There are some fun times and they'll
[47:43] be fondly remembered. Have a great life, Joe. The intricate web of
[47:54] the Internet has not only interconnected the world, but also laid bare the death
[48:00] of human obsession. David Heyes found himself obsessed with a woman he met online,
[48:06] but despite her relentless rejection, his fhyxiation only intensified. In the end,
[48:13] David's obsession took over his life, leading him to Nottingham or David's obsession
[48:20] and did Matthew Pike's life Well, Bestie's lot is it for this episode of
[48:47] Morbidology. As always, thank you so much for listening, and I'd like
[48:52] to say a massive thank you to my new supporter up on patrion math.
[48:57] You can join us up on Patrion for as little as one dollar a month
[49:00] and there are absolutely no obligations. You can cancel your subscription at any time.
[49:05] The link to Patreon is in the show notes, or alternatively, you
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[49:34] Remember the jack is out at morbidology dot com for more information about this episode
[49:37] and to read some true Grime articles. Until next time, take care of
[49:40] yourselves, stay safe, and have an amazing week.

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