Lewisham Handyman Locked Up for Life Over Brutal Double Murder
Carl Cooper, 66, has been handed a life sentence with a minimum of 35 years for the cold-blooded murders of two women he dated. The handyman from Lewisham is expected to spend the rest of his days behind bars, sparking relief and anguish alike.
Police Overlooked Early Warning Signs Before Second Killing
Cooper was convicted of killing 41-year-old Naomi Hunte in her Woolwich flat in February 2022. Naomi had reported Cooper’s harassment to police four times before she was found stabbed to death. Despite being arrested, Cooper was released under investigation — a decision that proved fatal.
Sixteen months later, Cooper murdered 48-year-old Fiona Holm, who vanished from Hither Green. Her body has never been found, leaving her family devastated and still searching. A £20,000 reward remains on offer for information leading to her remains.
Families Speak Out Against ‘Evil’ Killer
“You are an evil, vile man and I hope you receive a sentence that will never allow you freedom,” said Naomi’s mother, who called her daughter her best friend. Naomi’s father labelled Cooper a coward.
Fiona’s brother described Cooper as “an evil, manipulative and calculating man who thinks he has the right to take vulnerable women’s lives.”
Police Warn: Search for Fiona Won’t End
During sentencing, Judge Justice Johnson urged Cooper to reveal Fiona’s burial site, saying it would allow her family a much-needed funeral.
Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn expressed relief over the life sentence but admitted frustration that earlier evidence was lacking to stop Cooper sooner. She vowed the hunt for Fiona would continue: “The trial being over does not mean our efforts to find Fiona will stop. My team and I remain committed to returning her to her family.”
The tragic case highlights the dangers faced by vulnerable women and the struggles their families endure in seeking justice.
