The Facebook Killer

By Stu Armstrong

In The Facebook Killer, Stu Armstrong delivers a chilling and unflinching exploration of one of the UK's most devastating modern crimes-the grooming and murder of 17-year-old Ashleigh Hall by convicted sex offender Peter Chapman.

Told through a powerful mix of factual investigation and fictionalised scenes, this book pulls readers into the shadowy corners of the internet, where predators lurk behind fake profiles and innocent trust can be a fatal mistake. The narrative begins with Chapman's disturbing childhood, shaped by emotional dysfunction, early criminal behaviour, and a warped sense of power and manipulation. As he grows into adulthood, his deviance escalates, culminating in multiple sexual offences and prison terms.

The book tracks his release and reintegration into society, painting a grim picture of systemic failure: stretched police resources, poor offender monitoring, and a social media ecosystem with almost no safeguards. Using a false identity on Facebook, Chapman lures Ashleigh Hall-bright, trusting, and unaware of the danger-into a trap that would claim her life.

The story does not stop at the crime. It follows the police investigation, the nationwide media outrage, and the haunting questions left in the wake of Ashleigh's murder. Where did the system go wrong? Why was Chapman free to offend again? And how can we stop predators from abusing digital anonymity?

In the final chapters, Armstrong exposes the toxic flaws in online safety, the role of tech giants who too often fail to act, and the UK Government's Online Safety Bill promised as a solution but likely to fall short. The epilogue includes detailed global statistics, comparable cases, and practical guidance for staying safe online, including the Spore-Prattler Steps for protecting children in the digital age.

More than just a true crime account, The Facebook Killer is a brutal warning and a call for action. It's a testament to the devastating consequences of ignoring the online threat and a tribute to the lives lost to predators hiding behind the screen.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0F9PVV96Q
• ISBN13: 9798284954799
• Release Date: May 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 172 Pages
• Weight: 0.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.0" x 9.0"