The father of a murdered woman is tormented by the realization that he unwittingly permitted her killer to be near her body during her wake, deceived by the killer’s facade. Prior to Christmas 2022, Natalie McNally, a pregnant woman 15 weeks along, was fatally attacked by her partner at their residence. Stephen McCullagh, portraying a grief-stricken partner, initially claimed to emergency services that someone had assaulted her severely. However, his deceit was soon exposed.
During the trial, prosecutor Charles MacCreanor KC described the murder as meticulously planned and executed by McCullagh, hoping to evade detection. McCullagh, a popular YouTuber with 40,000 subscribers, staged a fake live stream titled ‘Violent Night’ while he carried out the heinous act.
Despite pleading not guilty, McCullagh was found guilty of Natalie’s murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 31 years. The judge, Mr. Justice Kinney, condemned the murder as brutal and senseless, highlighting the calculated and cold-blooded nature of the crime.
Following Natalie’s death, her family unwittingly extended support and sympathy to McCullagh, even allowing him to spend time alone with Natalie’s body at a wake on Christmas Day. McCullagh, no longer a suspect by Christmas Eve, attended the funeral but refrained from being recognized.
During the trial, Natalie’s mother recounted feeling sorry for McCullagh, who had convinced them of his innocence. Unaware of his guilt, the family offered him solace, with McCullagh even displaying a photo of the unborn child Natalie was anticipating, a cruel reminder of his deception.
Eventually, the truth emerged, revealing McCullagh’s betrayal to the grieving family. McCullagh, now incarcerated, has faced threats from fellow inmates for his crime, with concerns for his safety prompting his placement in the prison’s hospital wing.
Legal experts emphasize the vulnerability of pregnant women to domestic violence, underlining the severity of McCullagh’s actions. Despite receiving protection in prison, McCullagh’s softer treatment has sparked criticism, especially from Natalie’s family, who were deceived by his facade of grief.
The sentencing judge highlighted the prevalence of domestic violence and condemned McCullagh’s calculated murder. Natalie’s father expressed gratitude for the support received but acknowledged the enduring pain of losing his daughter. The family now seeks privacy to continue grieving their loss and hopes the sentence will deter violence against women.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, seek help from the National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline or relevant support services.