Sixteen-Year Delay in Identifying Possible Victim of Double Killer Halliwell

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 20, 2026

The remains of Darren Carley, who went missing in 2002, were only identified in 2018 after his DNA was uploaded to national databases, sparking criticism over the delayed investigation. The case underscores persistent challenges in missing persons inquiries and has raised questions about potential links to convicted killer Christopher Halliwell, who has not been questioned in connection with Carley’s death.

The remains of a man who went missing in 2002 were not identified until 2018, more than 16 years after he disappeared, prompting criticism from the family of one of his potential victims. Darren Carley, 24, was found six months after he vanished near a pond in Charnock Richards, Lancashire. His skull had been fractured, but his identity remained unknown until a year after Wiltshire Police uploaded his DNA to national databases.

Carley’s family endured years of uncertainty about his fate. His mother, Barbara Carley, died last year without learning what happened to her son. Upon his disappearance, she posted messages expressing her hope for his return. The delay in identifying his remains has drawn rebuke from Karen Edwards, whose daughter, Becky Godden-Edwards, was murdered by convicted double killer Christopher Halliwell. Edwards, who herself experienced years of anguish and uncertainty over her daughter’s disappearance, described the handling of Darren’s case as “an absolute shambles.”

Halliwell, 52, who was sentenced to a whole life term in 2016 for the abduction and murder of Becky Godden-Edwards, had also been convicted for the 2011 killing of Sian O’Callaghan. At the time Carley went missing in 2002, Halliwell lived about half a mile from his home in Swindon and was recorded visiting a hotel less than four miles from where Carley’s body was discovered nine days later. Despite these connections, Halliwell has not been arrested or questioned in relation to Carley’s death.

Police forces have offered varying accounts regarding delays in matching Carley’s DNA. Wiltshire Police stated that Darren’s dental records were forwarded to Lancashire Police in August 2002 but noted that submitting DNA profiles to the national database is not mandatory during missing persons investigations and depends on meeting specific criteria. Lancashire Police indicated that they uploaded Carley’s DNA to the system in 2002 but lacked any comparative samples until 2017, which contributed to the prolonged delay.

The case highlights ongoing challenges in missing persons investigations and the complexities of DNA database usage. Darren Carley’s family, who spent years without definitive answers, continues to await clarity on the circumstances of his death.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.