Iain Packer, the man convicted of Emma Caldwell’s murder nearly two decades after her death, likely committed further killings, a former detective involved in the initial investigation has suggested.
Retired detective constable Stuart Hall believes "there’s going to be more found out in the future" regarding Packer’s offending.
Ms Caldwell, 27, was killed in 2005, but it was not until 2024 that Packer was finally brought to justice, convicted of her murder and a series of sexual offences against other women.
Police had questioned Packer in the weeks following Ms Caldwell’s death, yet a group of Turkish men were wrongly charged in 2007, with the case against them later collapsing.
Mr Hall shared his insights on The Beware Book podcast, which delves into the deaths of several women involved in prostitution around Glasgow during the 1990s and early 2000s.
The series highlights eight such deaths, four of which remain unsolved. The podcast takes its evocative name from a journal once used by women in prostitution to alert each other to potentially dangerous or suspicious clients.
Mr Hall was asked about the fact that Packer’s offending continued for years after Ms Caldwell’s murder, and whether the full extent of his crimes has come to light.
He said: “No – short answer. I think there’s a lot more to be found out about Iain Packer.
“Personally, I don’t think it was his first murder.
“I think there’s going to be more found out in the future. I’d love to be involved in something to do with that, but I think there’s far more to it.
“There’s a pattern of behaviour here. As they discovered during the trial, which is now common knowledge, he did the same thing to several girls.
“Although Emma was the only one we know of at this time who was murdered. I see no reason for there not to be more.”
Mr Hall said Packer’s history of violence against women had emerged in court.
He continued: “That just seems to be who he is, how he deals with life and women.”
Packer was jailed for life with a minimum term of 36 years after he was found guilty of Ms Caldwell’s murder.
Her body was found as a remote location in Limefield Woods in South Lanarkshire.
Other former detectives have previously told the podcast about their certainty of Packer’s guilt.
However they said their suspicions were dismissed by superiors, with one being told Packer “will never be accused”.
A public inquiry, chaired by Lord Scott KC, is due to examine the police investigation into the murder.
Police Scotland Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs said: “Emma Caldwell’s family have shown incredible courage and determination following her murder in 2005 and we are absolutely committed to supporting the inquiry and getting her loved ones the answers they deserve.”
