Daniel Boulton: 28 miles to murder
Skegness Psycho: 28 Miles to MurderThe case of Daniel Boulton is one of the most shocking acts of domestic violence in recent times. In late May 2021, what began as a 28-mile walk transformed into a horrific double murder that left a family and a community reeling.
A 24-hour manhunt began after 30-year-old Daniel Boulton murdered his ex-girlfriend and her nine-year-old son Darren in Louth, Lincolnshire. Not only that, but a young baby was also left in the house while the killings took place.
Join us at Crime+Investigation, as we examine the murder of Bethany Vincent and her young son. Discover what happened that fateful night, and the details of the investigation and trial. Want to explore the case further? Don’t miss Skegness Psycho: 28 Miles to Murder, airing exclusively on Crime+Investigation from Monday, 16th February.
Warning signs
Daniel Boulton had been in a relationship with 26-year-old Bethany Vincent after they met through an online dating app. Their relationship eventually went downhill, and by the end of March 2019, dangerous goings-on behind closed doors had been reported to the police.
Boulton was ordered not to contact Bethany, yet he persisted. In the days leading up to the tragic murders, he exhibited alarming behaviour. Investigators revealed that he sent nearly 900 messages to her over a single weekend, including accusations saying she 'destroyed my life. and have the cheek to say I ruined yours.'
The prosecution in his trial told jurors that Boulton had developed a 'boiling hatred' not only of Bethany, but also of her young son, nine-year-old Darren Henson, known affectionately as DJ. Tragic testimony revealed that Boulton had even expressed a desire to 'wipe out the bloodline' of her family and harboured irrational fears related to Darren’s autism.
The walk of death
The night of 31st May 2021 began harmlessly for many people, but for Boulton it was the culmination of months of intense frustration and obsession. Earlier in the day he had embarked on a nearly 28-mile walk from his home in Skegness to Bethany's residence in Louth, Lincolnshire.
He arrived at High Holme Road and, according to court testimony, remained outside for several hours, loitering until the moment he would strike.
When Bethany arrived home with her son DJ, Boulton forced his way into their home. In what was later described by prosecutors as a 'brutal' attack, Boulton stabbed Bethany and Darren repeatedly, killing them both. Emergency services found Bethany in the front room and Darren in his bedroom, both fatally wounded. Meanwhile, a nine-month-old baby was found in the house, unharmed but deeply distressed.
Manhunt and arrest
After the murders, Daniel Boulton didn’t surrender immediately. Instead, he triggered a major police response as he went on the run for nearly 24 hours. Lincolnshire Police issued an appeal to the public to help locate him as he remained a serious threat.
During this time, he broke into a cottage on the outskirts of Louth, stealing food, clothing and alcohol as he tried to escape the police.
At one point while on the run, Boulton also stabbed an off-duty police officer who was attempting to detain him. Fortunately, the injuries were not fatal. Eventually, armed officers cornered him on a farm. He was tasered and taken into custody, ending the manhunt that had garnered national attention.
Trial and sentencing
At trial, Boulton admitted to killing Bethany and Darren but attempted to argue that he was in a 'dissocial personality disorder' state of mind and that he was effectively on 'autopilot' during the killings. He initially pleaded to manslaughter on the grounds that a mental health condition impaired his self-control.
However, a jury rejected that defence and, after just over two hours of deliberation, found him guilty of murder for both deaths. The judge at Lincoln Crown Court said:
'You acted calmly, callously and efficiently... you intended to kill, you knew precisely what you were doing.'
Boulton was given a life sentence and required to serve a minimum of 40 years behind bars. During sentencing the judge described him as 'violent' and 'very dangerous', noting a high risk of further violence should he ever regain freedom. This is a sentence that could mean he spends most of his life in prison and may never be released.
Public reaction
The public reaction to the case was one of profound shock and sadness. It was not only the violence that struck people, but the fact that it could have been prevented if the warning signs had been taken more seriously. Families and advocates pointed out how Boulton’s relentless messaging, breaches of restraining orders and obvious fixation on Bethany and her son should have triggered stronger protective action.
Community leaders and domestic violence charities used the case to emphasise the need for better systems to protect people from escalating threats and for more support for victims of obsessive or stalking behaviour.
Love true crime? Stay in the know with the Crime+Investigation Newsletter! Get exclusive access to new articles, episodes, clips, competitions, and more – delivered weekly and completely free. Don't miss out – sign up today!
