Why was he released?

In February 2019, 84-year-old identical twins Dick and Roger Carter were killed in their Exeter home by a stranger. Hours earlier, their attacker had killed a 90-year-old neighbour. That morning, he had been released from police custody despite having a history of severe mental illness coupled with extreme violence.

For the twins’ niece and nephew, Amanda Taylor and Jonno Carter, one question has haunted the seven years since - why was he allowed to walk free?

A man who had been sectioned twice for his mental health problems, while hospitalised he had locked other patients in a room and started a fire. The day previous to the Exeter killings, the attacker assaulted another elderly man with a saw. He was only arrested after a high-speed chase by an armed officer. In custody he attacked an officer, yet minutes later was released.

File on 4 Investigates follows the Carter family’s search for answers. Drawing on official documents, custody records and body-worn footage released at the recently concluded coroner’s inquest, the programme examines the decisions made by police, healthcare professionals and other agencies in the hours before the killings. What did they know about the danger he posed, and could the deaths have been prevented?

The programme also investigates the handling of evidence after the killings, including police custody footage reported to have been deleted, and the delays to an inquest the family hopes will finally establish what went wrong.

At its heart are two much-loved uncles, remembered for their gentleness and quiet life, and a family determined to ensure that their deaths lead to change.

Produced by Duncan Bulling
Presented by Emily Dugan
Sound Design by Rowan Bishop

A 2 Degrees West production for BBC Radio 4