In October 2007, a quiet town in Aberdeenshire was rocked by a sudden disappearance. A respected member of the community, known for his successful career and love of golf, seemed to have vanished from his picturesque countryside home without a word.

Michael Holding was a retired oil executive, enjoying the slower pace of life after decades in a high-pressure industry. His home, nestled among the woods of Banchory, was meant to be a peaceful retreat - a place to enjoy the years ahead with family close by.

But behind the calm exterior, tensions were building. And when the truth began to unravel, it revealed a story far darker than anyone could have imagined.

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Intro music:⁣

David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'⁣

davidjohnbrady.com

Disclaimer:

The case discussed in this podcast episode is real and represents the worst day in many people's lives. I aim to cover such stories with a victim-focused approach, using information from publicly available sources. While I strive for accuracy, some details may vary depending on the sources used. You can find the sources for each episode on my website. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this monthly collaboration series, Adam from the UK True Crime podcast and I take a step back from individual cases to explore a curated selection of gripping crime stories that made headlines in June 2025. From chilling local, national, and international headlines to quirky and more lighthearted stories, this series offers a glimpse into the diverse and often shocking world of true crime.

This month's episode is a little bit different as it was recorded LIVE at CrimeCon UK London 2025 on June 7 in the Podcast Live Studio. This was the first time Adam and I had met in person, believe it or not, and we were very appreciative of those who attended the session and got involved in the discussions - thank you!

We were also honoured to have had Professor David Wilson in the audience and we're beyond grateful for your contributions during the session.

Join us as we dive into these extraordinary stories in the June 2025 LIVE edition of The Crime Roundup.

Join my Patreon community at patreon.com/britishmurders for exclusive perks, including early access to ad-free episodes, bonus episodes and content, exciting giveaways, and welcome goodies!

Social Media:

Facebook | British Murders with Stuart Blues

Instagram | @britishmurders

TikTok | @britishmurders

Private Facebook Group:

British Murders Podcast - Discussion Group

Website:

britishmurders.com

Disclaimer:

The cases discussed in this episode are real and represent the worst day in many people's lives. We aim to cover such stories with a victim-focused approach, using information from publicly available sources. While we strive for accuracy, some details may vary depending on the sources used. Due to the nature of the content, viewer discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In November 2007, a woman vanished from her rural farmhouse in the Gloucestershire countryside without a trace. At first, it seemed she may have simply left - a private decision, perhaps, to start again elsewhere. But as days turned into weeks, and then months, suspicions grew.

Kate Prout was a retired schoolteacher, known for her love of nature, her creativity, and her deep ties to the local community. She lived a quiet life on a sprawling farm in the Forest of Dean - a place she’d once called her dream home.

What followed was an investigation that spanned years, challenged detectives, and divided a village. And at the centre of it all was a single question: what really happened to Kate?

If you’re experiencing domestic abuse and feel frightened of, or controlled by, a partner, an ex-partner or family member, it’s important to remember that it’s not your fault and there is no shame in seeking help. Free, confidential support and advice is available to victims and their concerned family members or friends, 24 hours a day:

England | Refuge | 0808 2000 247

Scotland | SDAFMH | 0800 027 1234

Wales | Live Fear Free | 0808 80 10 100

Northern Ireland | DSA | 0808 802 1414

UK-wide | Men’s Advice Line | 0808 801 0327

Join my Patreon community at patreon.com/britishmurders for exclusive perks, including early access to ad-free episodes, bonus episodes and content, exciting giveaways, and welcome goodies!

Follow me on social media:

Facebook | British Murders with Stuart Blues

Instagram | @britishmurders

TikTok | @britishmurders

Join the private Facebook group:

British Murders Podcast - Discussion Group

Visit my website:

britishmurders.com

Intro music:⁣

David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'⁣

davidjohnbrady.com

Disclaimer:

The case discussed in this podcast episode is real and represents the worst day in many people's lives. I aim to cover such stories with a victim-focused approach, using information from publicly available sources. While I strive for accuracy, some details may vary depending on the sources used. You can find the sources for each episode on my website. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.