About this episode

The episode explores the affair between Hazel Buchanan and Colin Howell, leading to a plot to murder their spouses.

The story of Lesley Howell and Trevor Buchanan. In 1991 they were murdered by their spouses who then staged a scene to make it look like they had taken their own lives. 18 years later - one of the killers decided to confess. Episode 2 - The Affair In a close-knit Baptist church community in Coleraine, Northern Ireland - Hazel Buchanan, married to a local RUC officer - begins a secret affair with married dentist Colin Howell. When the affair is discovered, the church arranges counselling for both couples - but Colin Howell begins plotting with Hazel to murder their partners. Narrated by Lucy McConnell Produced by Conor McKay Executive editor Andy Martin A BBC Northern Ireland production

People in this episode

Host: Lucy McConnell

Topics covered

• murder
• affair
• confession
• Baptist church
• Northern Ireland
• true crime

Keywords

• Lesley Howell
• Trevor Buchanan
• Hazel Buchanan
• Colin Howell
• murder
• affair
• confession
• Baptist church
• Northern Ireland

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC Northern Ireland, RUC

Places: Coleraine, Northern Ireland

More episodes of Crime Next Door

• The Confession: 5. The Trial · September 5, 2026 · 14 min
• The Confession: 4. The Secret · August 29, 2026 · 14 min
• The Confession: 3. The Innocent · August 22, 2026 · 13 min
• The Confession: 1. The 12 Apostles · August 8, 2026 · 12 min
• The Confession: Crime Next Door: The Confession · August 3, 2026 · 2 min

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