David Smith (born 1956) is an English repeat murderer, rapist, and suspected serial killer.
Known for his towering figure and sinister nicknames like “Lurch” and “The Honey Monster,” Smith gained notoriety in 1999 when he was convicted of murdering a sex worker six years after being acquitted of a strikingly similar crime. His chilling history of violence, which began at 18, has linked him to several other unsolved murders of sex workers across the UK.
Early Life and Criminal Background
Born in Hampton, Middlesex, Smith lived with his mother following the failure of his marriage. His criminal record began at 18 when he raped a mother at knifepoint in front of her two children, earning him a four-year sentence. Subsequent offences included the unlawful imprisonment of a woman he attacked in his unlicensed taxi and an alleged attempted rape of a sex worker, although the latter case was dropped when the victim declined to testify.
The Murder of Sarah Crump
In August 1991, Sarah Crump, a 33-year-old psychiatric nurse and part-time sex worker, was found brutally murdered in her West London home. She had been stabbed and mutilated. Smith admitted to paying Crump for sex but denied involvement in her death. At his 1993 trial, unidentified fingerprints found at the scene led to his acquittal. However, Crump’s family insisted he would kill again, and the case was closed with no other suspects.
Double Jeopardy Law Changes and 2023 Conviction
In 2003, amendments to double jeopardy laws allowed suspects to be retried for the same crime if new evidence emerged. In 2022, Smith’s acquittal for Crump’s murder was quashed. During his 2023 retrial, new forensic evidence and testimony revealed he had boasted about “getting away with it.” The jury convicted him after just three hours of deliberation. Smith was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 27 years.
The Murder of Amanda Walker
In 1999, Smith raped and murdered 21-year-old sex worker Amanda Walker. Witnesses saw him pick her up in Paddington, and his DNA matched blood found on her discarded clothes. Her mutilated body was found six weeks later in Wisley, Surrey. Smith’s defence—claiming his blood got on her clothes from a nosebleed—was rejected by the jury. He was convicted and labelled a “very dangerous man” by the trial judge.
Connections to Other Murders
Following his 1999 conviction, police across the UK revisited cold cases involving sex workers. Smith was linked to the unsolved murders of Linda Donaldson and Maria Requena, both in Greater Manchester. These cases, examined by Operation Enigma, suggested the work of a serial killer. Smith’s unusually large size 14 feet were moulded to compare with footprints found at other crime scenes.
Conclusion
David Smith’s story is a chilling reminder of the dangers posed by repeat offenders. From rape to murder, his escalating violence has devastated families and highlighted systemic gaps in preventing such tragedies. Even decades later, his name resurfaces as police continue to investigate unsolved crimes tied to his grim legacy.
