Liam Smith: Murdered after a false allegation
Liam Smith was a regular man living in Greater Manchester when he became the target of a false revenge plot. Beginning with a match on Tinder, this case revolves around lies and extreme exaggerations, which created an unnecessary quest for vengeance. Unfortunately, this culminated in Liam’s tragic murder.
Join us here at Crime+Investigation as we dive deeper into the murder of Liam Smith and examine how an everyday dating app match became a murder case.
Who was Liam Smith?
At the time of his death, Liam was 38 years old and living near Wigan. He had two sons aged 11 and 15, and he was working as a self-employed electrician.
Liam was said to be a kind-hearted, generous man who was completely devoted to his sons. Liam’s family emphasised the love Liam had for his kids in a statement,
'Liam’s two boys were his biggest legacy. He was genuinely the best dad ever and everything he did in life was for his two boys.'
Liam Smith and Rachel Fulstow
In 2019, Liam went on a date with a 37-year-old woman named Rachel Fulstow, whom he had matched with on the dating app Tinder. The two stayed at a hotel in York and had a one night stand. However, Fulstow later claimed that during that encounter, Smith had raped her. This claim was thoroughly examined further down the line after Smith’s murder and was largely thought to be an exaggeration or a complete fabrication.
Fulstow was seen going to lunch with Smith the following day, and she said nothing to the authorities. In fact, she said nothing at all to anyone until 2021. She then told the story of the alleged rape to her new boyfriend, Michael Hillier.
The murder plot
39-year-old Hillier, from Sheffield, was a drug dealer and a man with a history of violence. When Fulstow spun him a tale of assault about Liam, the two of them decided to take revenge.
Despite Fulstow later claiming that she did not know of Hillier’s plans, the evidence of her online searches suggested otherwise. She was found to have been searching for Liam online six months beforehand. This included searches for his address and business, as well as the question, 'does acid corrode stainless steel?' Fulstow also looked up the definition of premeditated.
Hillier’s planning of Liam’s murder was particularly thorough. Three weeks before the killing, he travelled to Wigan from his home in Sheffield. He drove a Mitsubishi Shogun and used cloned license plates. He waited and watched Liam going about his life, keeping track of his movements. Hillier had also bought firearms online and actively worked on his aim by practicing in his cellar.
Liam’s murder
On 24th November 2022, Hillier waited 10 hours in the same vehicle close to Liam’s address. At 6.30pm, he lured Liam out by approaching the house with a head torch and high vis jacket. Liam left the house, where he was ambushed by Hillier, being shot point-blank in the face with a shotgun and dying instantly.
Hillier then drove around the block before retrieving soda crystals and sulphuric acid out of his vehicle. He then poured the chemical concoction over Liam’s body. A few days after the murder, Hillier and Fulstown went on holiday to Jamaica. During that time, the authorities were piecing together the case.
The arrests and verdict
Hillier was arrested in January 2023, while Fulstow was arrested in February after being treated as a witness at first. Her lies and inability to keep her story straight led to significant suspicion and her eventual arrest.
In August 2023, both Hillier and Fulstow were found guilty. Hillier received a 33-year prison sentence and was found guilty of murder. Fulstow received a 30-year prison sentence and was also found guilty of murder, but also of perverting the court of justice.
During the trial, Liam’s family spoke of their heartbreak over Liam’s death as well as how his name had been dragged through the mud because of Fulstow’s accusations. Judge Maurice Greeen spoke bluntly, stating,
'Whatever happened between you and Liam Smith can never be a justification for what you and Michael Hillier did.'
Despite the closure from the guilty verdicts, Liam’s family must continue to live without their beloved family member, but also with the accusations that led to his murder.
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