Sally Hodkin: 500 Yards From Home | The Nicola Edgington Case Artwork

Sinister South

Join Rachel and Hannah on the Sinister South Podcast as they explore the shadowy corners of South London. Each episode digs into the gritty true crime stories that have left their mark on the local streets of South London. They’ll introduce you to the victims and dissect the mysteries while giving you a taste of the places these dramas unfolded. It’s not all doom and gloom; Rach and Han also have plenty of nonsense to chat about! So whether you're a true crime buff or just curious about the darker tales from their neck of the woods, pull up a chair, tune in and join the mischief!

Want to get in touch with us, or request an episode? You can email us here: sinistersouthpodcast@gmail.com

All Episodes

Sinister South

Sally Hodkin: 500 Yards From Home | The Nicola Edgington Case

June 03, 2026 • Rachel & Hannah • Season 4 • Episode 4

0:00 | 2:11:59

On the morning of 10th October 2011, 58-year-old Sally Hodkin left her house in Bexleyheath for her usual walk to work. She was 500 yards from her own front door when she was attacked and killed by Nicola Edgington, a woman who had murdered her own mother six years earlier and had been released back into the community by the NHS.

In the hours before Sally's death, Edgington had told police she was dangerous, walked out of a psychiatric unit, and begged multiple services to help her. Nobody listened.

This week Rachel takes Hannah through every missed opportunity, every form that wasn't sent and every door that should have been locked. It's a long one, but every minute of it matters.

Trigger warnings: fatal stabbing, mental health crisis, drug use, miscarriage & graphic violence.

Sources include:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-46022330
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-40378509
https://www.england.nhs.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2017/06/Report-of-the-independent-investigation-into-the-care-and-treatment-of-Ms-A.pdf
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-21321005
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicola_Edgington
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-66842327
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-21652436
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-21195602
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-24868749
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-21653018
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-21260313
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-21374967
https://www.hundredfamilies.org/independent-investigation-hodkin-family-statement/
https://www.itv.com/news/london/2023-09-20/victims-family-warns-she-will-kill-again-as-conviction-could-be-downgraded
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/mar/09/sally-hodkin-nhs-mental-health
https://www.london-now.co.uk/news/25968695.bexleyheath-killer-nicola-edgington-loses-murder-conviction-appeal/
https://www.channel4.com/news/suspect-left-mental-health-unit-before-stabbing
https://murderpedia.org/female.E/e/edgington-nicola.htm
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-46034803
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/nicola-edgington-meat-cleaver-murder-manslaughter-court-of-appeal-b1107644.html
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2874993/police-in-100k-bid-to-cover-up-murder-of-gran-by-mental-health-patient-who-pleaded-to-be-sectioned/
https://www.hundredfamilies.org/sally-hodkin-memorial-match-2017/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-15280814
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/05/17/nhs-pays-psychotic-killers-to-give-health-advice/

Support the show

Thanks for tuning in! If you loved diving into the dark corners of South London with us, don't forget to hit that subscribe button to never miss an episode of "Sinister South."

Also, follow us on Instagram @SinisterSouthPodcast for sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes content, and more cheeky banter, or www.sinistersouthpod.co.uk. Remember, every crime tells a story... and South is the best side of the river...

Produced and hosted by Hannah Williams & Rachel Baines
Mixed & edited by Purple Waves Sound (A.K.A Will)