'Death of a Showjumper' Out Now
7 September 2025 — Sky’s three-part true-crime documentary Death of a Showjumper premieres today on Sky Documentaries and NOW, examining the 2020 death of 21-year-old Irish showjumper Katie Simpson and the flawed early investigation that followed. The series runs across three episodes (c.45 minutes each) and is available in Ireland and the UK from today.
Produced by Walk On Air with Sky Studios in association with Northern Ireland Screen, the series features interviews with Katie’s family and friends, journalist Tanya Fowles, and retired detective sergeant James Brannigan, tracing how a quiet, off-the-record inquiry evolved into a murder trial.
The case in brief
Katie, from Tynan, Co Armagh, died in August 2020 at Altnagelvin Hospital, six days after an incident at a house in Lettershandoney, Co Derry/Londonderry. The death was initially treated as suicide, a conclusion later challenged by family, journalists and investigators. In November 2024, the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland found the initial police investigation was “flawed” and “failed the Simpson family.”
Jonathan James Creswell (then partner of Katie’s sister) was later charged with Katie’s rape and murder. His trial began in April 2024 but collapsed on day two when he was found dead at home while on bail. He had denied the charges.
In June 2024, three women connected to Creswell received suspended sentences for offences related to impeding the investigation.
What the series covers — and why it matters now
Death of a Showjumper reconstructs the months around Katie’s death and the years of scrutiny that followed. It explores coercive control, the equestrian community’s culture, and how red flags were missed. It also charts the independent work of Det Sgt Brannigan and journalist Fowles, whose persistence helped push the case back into the spotlight and towards trial.
Abi Lyle’s role
Irish Olympian Abigail (“Abi”) Lyle appears in the series. In an interview this summer, she described an abusive past relationship with Creswell and why she chose to contribute to the documentary. Speaking ahead of broadcast, she said she wanted to ensure “he hasn’t had the last word”, and to support others living with abuse. Her account also places the case within a broader conversation about coercive control and how survivors are supported.
Gratitude for those who spoke out
This series exists because people stepped forward: Katie’s family, journalists like Tanya Fowles, investigators like James Brannigan, and survivors like Abi Lyle who chose to speak openly about deeply personal experiences. Their courage has turned silence into action.
For every voice that breaks through, there’s the possibility that one woman may find the strength to leave a coercive or abusive relationship—or that someone will recognise the warning signs before entering one. That possibility alone is reason enough to keep telling these stories.
Prevention: We Ride Together
As the series reignites difficult conversations, it also highlights the need for prevention. Organisations like We Ride Together are working to ensure what happened to Katie never happens again.
Founded in the US, We Ride Together is dedicated to ending sexual misconduct, abuse and coercion in equestrian sport. They provide education, awareness campaigns, and survivor resources, with a clear mission: to build a safer, more transparent and supportive community. Their work is an example of what safeguarding looks like when it’s proactive rather than reactive - centered on protection, empowerment and accountability.
How to watch (Ireland & UK)
- Sky Documentaries: from today, Sunday 7 September 2025
- NOW (streaming): Series 1 — 3 episodes available to stream (rated 15)
Why this matters to our sport
For equestrianism, Katie’s story forces us to reflect on culture, accountability, and safeguarding. It’s a reminder that abuse can hide in plain sight if we aren’t vigilant. The equestrian world, like any community, must own its responsibility to ensure that sport is not just a space for performance, but one of safety, respect and equity.
Katie Simpson’s name will not be forgotten. And if this series sparks even one moment of recognition, one intervention, or one act of courage that prevents harm — it will already have done something profound.
