In 2021, Cleveland Police launched a murder investigation following the death of Steven McGowan, a 47-year-old convicted child sex offender, in a residential house fire in Marske, North Yorkshire.
Steven McGowan, of Marske-by-the-Sea, was found dead inside his downstairs flat on 9 June 2021 after emergency services responded to reports of a severe blaze at approximately 2:15 am. Firefighters discovered his body inside the property, prompting detectives to launch a homicide inquiry and arrest a 25-year-old man in connection with the fatality. Neighbours reported that details regarding McGowan’s previous criminal convictions had recently been circulated across social media platforms, leading to repeated acts of anti-social behaviour and vandalism targeting his home before the fire.
McGowan had previously been sentenced at Teesside Crown Court in 2013 to two years in prison after being caught filming young girls at a swimming facility. This investigation led to the discovery of over 5,000 illicit images on his home computer devices. While serving that sentence, historic disclosures from two additional victims led to a further five-year prison term in June 2014 for indecent assault and grooming offences.
Before his death, McGowan had been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life following his 2014 conviction at Teesside Crown Court.
Senior investigating officers confirmed that multi-agency enquiries remain ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the fatal incident and determine responsibility for the arson attack.
IMAGE CREDIT – UK DATABASE (UKdatabaseREAL)
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