Until It Kills You is an ITV true crime series that takes viewers deep into the terrifying story of John Sweeney, also known as the “scalp hunter”.

Sweeney’s brutal crimes in the 1990s and early 2000s shook the UK. This series resurfaces his chilling story and is based on the book by survivor Delia Balmer Living with a Serial Killer.

The series follows Balmer’s journey with Sweeney. It explores the psychological and physical terror Sweeney inflicts on those close to him. Sweeney’s twisted, violent mind was unlike anything the public had ever seen, making him one of the UK’s most dangerous criminals.

Here’s a look at 5 gory details about Scalp Hunter from ITV true crime series Until It Kills You.

5 terrifying details about serial killer Scalp Hunter from ITV true crime series Until It Kills You

1) “Hull destruction kit”

Inside Until It Kills YouOne of the first chilling signs of Sweeney’s dark intentions was his so-called “body disposal kit.” Delia Balmer had dated Sweeney in the past. Sweeney was a controlling partner who repeatedly called and stalked Balmer, leaving her friends and family concerned about the nature of their relationship.

Eventually, early in their relationship, she discovered this disturbing bag among her belongings. It was full of items like saws, rope, gloves and masking tape. These tools only made sense in a horrific context. Balmer later realized that this “kit” was probably intended for him. That’s when he realized this was a terrible wake-up call.

Sherry Until It Kills You It is clear that he planned his actions meticulously. This revealed how deeply Sweeney’s violent tendencies were incorporated into his daily life.

2) Four-day terror ordeal

Inside Until It Kills YouOne of the most chilling details is Sweeney’s four-day hostage situation with Delia Balmer. After their relationship deteriorated, Balmer tried to escape, changed his locks and cut off communication.

In 1994, he broke into her home and tied her to her bed. He held him captive at gunpoint. He even confessed to killing his ex-girlfriend Melissa Halstead, much to Balmer’s dismay.

He held him captive for four days. His psychological and physical control over her showed how far Sweeney would go to instill fear in others and maintain his dominance.

When Balmer finally managed to escape from him and went to the police, Sweeney planned his revenge.

He found her in December 1994 and attacked her in broad daylight. He brutally attacked her with an axe. Balmer lost a finger and suffered multiple stab wounds. These injuries left him with lifelong scars. A neighbor saved Sweeney by hitting him with a baseball bat.

3) Chilling discovery in the canal

Sweeney’s activities were not limited to England. He was known to travel around Europe. In 2001, the dismembered body of Paula Fields was found in London’s Regent’s Canal. It was filled into six sacks.

Like Sweeney’s previous victims, Fields had been subjected to unimaginable violence. His body was disposed of in a way that showed a complete lack of humanity. Sweeney used the canals as disposal sites for his victims. Sweeney also mutilated his victims.

4) “Scalp Hunter” drawings and creepy poems

Sweeney’s twisted mind had gone beyond physical violence. He documented his horrific fantasies and crimes through art.

When police finally raided his shanty house, they found more than 300 pornographic, violent paintings and poems. Some of these images featured bound women and bloody knives. These were scenes straight out of a nightmare.

Another shocking thing was a short poem he wrote:

“Poor Melissa, she tore it to pieces, food to feed the fish, Amsterdam was a pit.”

One drawing even featured a tombstone labeled “RIP Melissa Halstead.” He was mocking the memory of his first known victim. The nickname “Scalp Hunter” stemmed in part from one of these disturbing drawings, “Scalphunter.”

5) Sweeney’s chilling secret

Inside Until It Kills YouOne of the most disturbing aspects of John Sweeney’s crimes is that he never explains what he did to the minds of Paula Fields and Melissa Halstead. His remains are lost to this day. As Delia Balmer points out, this may be her way of staying in control.

He shared a chilling memory from 1993, when Sweeney told him he had sealed his pet tarantula in a brick wall at a construction site in Germany. Balmer suspects he may have done something similar with the remains of his victims. He may have left them hidden while building walls somewhere in Europe.

Sweeney was finally convicted for his horrific crimes in 2011. Detective Chief Inspector Norman McKinlay interviewed Sweeney in prison. He remembered Sweeney’s silent, penetrating gaze.

Judge Justice Saunders condemned the crimes as cold and brutal. He stated that the mutilation of the victims greatly increased the suffering of their families. They still do not have the relief of finding their loved one’s remains.

Until It Kills You brings these horrific details to light. This reveals the extent of Sweeney’s twisted mind. It is currently airing on ITV.

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