A man has today (June 3) been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum 26 year term at St Albans Crown Court for the murder of 23 year old Katie Locke in Cheshunt on Christmas Eve, 2015.
Carl Langdell, aged 26, from Roundmoor Drive, Cheshunt, pleaded guilty to murdering 23-year-old Katie Locke during a hearing at St Albans Crown Court on Friday, March 18, 2016.
Langdell met Katie, a teacher, through the online dating site Plenty of Fish. They went on their first date on December 23, 2015. After spending the evening in London, the pair went back to the Theobalds Hotel in Cheshunt.
Katie’s body was discovered in the grounds the following day, she had been strangled.
Langdell was subsequently arrested on the morning of Christmas Eve in Lee Valley Park, where he had taken his dog for a walk after killing Katie. He was charged with her murder on Christmas Day.
Detective Inspector Fraser Wylie from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit led the investigation and said: “Katie Locke was a much-loved, professional young lady who had her whole life ahead of her.
“Her death has understandably had a hugely devastating impact on her family, friends and everyone who knew her. Losing a loved one in such horrendous circumstances is so cruel, especially given the time of year she was murdered. Our thoughts remain with Katie’s family and friends at what continues to be an extremely difficult time.
“I want to be clear that Carl Langdell is a dangerous, evil, manipulative and controlling individual who knew exactly what he was doing that night.
“He painted a picture of being a decent person, including claiming to be a lawyer which he wasn’t, and had refined his ways of dating to lure women into his trap.
“Whilst I am pleased that he has been handed a substantial prison sentence I fully understand that no sentence will be enough to ease the pain and suffering he has caused Katie’s family.
“I would like to take this opportunity to remind people to be vigilant when using online dating sites and apps. It is growing increasingly popular and can be a great way to meet that special someone, but it is important to remember that they are still a stranger when you meet up with them for the first time and, unfortunately, things do sometimes go wrong. The safest plan is to meet somewhere public and stay somewhere public.”
Adrian Foster, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Thames and Chiltern Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said: “Langdell is clearly an extremely ruthless, calculated and violent man.
“On the morning of Christmas Eve, realising that Katie had not returned home, her family and friends made a concerted effort to identify Langdell. Through internet searches they identified him and contacted him through Facebook. Langdell replied saying Katie had left in a taxi and he did not know where she was. They established an address in Cheshunt he was associated with and Katie’s Father travelled there desperate to locate his daughter. On arrival, he was shocked to learn that Langdell had just admitted to his mother that he had killed Katie, so he called the police and Langdell was located and arrested.
“We have worked closely with the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit since this investigation was launched and as a result of the hard work and diligence of the prosecution team, a just outcome has been achieved. We know that nothing will bring Katie back to her family and friends, but we hope that today’s sentence will bring them at least a small sense that justice has been done. Our thoughts are very much with them all at this time.”
Katie Locke – Family statement
“On the 24th of December we were cruelly robbed of a precious daughter, sister, niece, grand-daughter, cousin and auntie. Katie was a beautiful person, both inside and out, completely irreplaceable and for us, as a family, life will never, ever be the same again.
“Katie’s loss has robbed so many people, the friends who loved her, the workmates who relied upon her, the children she taught and those she would have gone on to teach in what promised to be a successful career. We would like to thank each and every one of the 400 people who attended her funeral to pay tribute to her life.
“We will never forget Katie. She was a bright, funny, loving young woman. She was also trusting, caring and always tried to see the best in everyone which, sadly, has been her downfall. Unfortunately there were no signs for Katie to see and as a family we have suffered daylight robbery. For us as a family to realise that any fantasist or predator can lie and publically portray themselves as anything their warped personalities would like is shocking.
“Today’s result changes nothing, Katie is never coming home. All we can do is warn other young women to be careful in the hope that no other family ever has to go through the pain and trauma we have suffered.
“We also hope that authority, in the future, will undertake the most serious investigations, if this murderer is ever considered for release. As, in all professional opinions we have heard in the last few months, believe that he will be forever a danger to the public.”
Katie’s mother said:
“I’m grieving for my beautiful daughter.
“For the happy child she was.
“For the lively, beautiful noisy teenager.
“For the lovely young adult and mostly for the woman I’ll never know.”