John Anslow, 65, and his daughter Hayley-Marie Ferguson have been found guilty in connection with the murder of Chereiss Bailey, whose body was discovered in a canal in Great Bridge, West Midlands, on October 7, 2025. The pair used paving slabs to weigh down Bailey's body before disposing of it. The investigation began after a tip-off led police to Ferguson's home, where they found blood-stained clothing. Anslow was arrested after comments made by Ferguson while in custody.
Bailey, 36, was last seen on CCTV entering Anslow's house on September 27, 2025. Following her death, Anslow canceled visits from community carers and called Ferguson for assistance, claiming he needed help with gardening. Ferguson later attended a Peaky Blinders-themed event before returning to help dispose of the body. CCTV footage showed the pair wheeling Bailey's body in Anslow's wheelchair before dumping it in the canal known as 'Eight Locks.'
Following their trial at Birmingham Crown Court, Anslow was found guilty of murder and preventing a lawful burial, while Ferguson was found guilty of assisting an offender and preventing a lawful burial. The family of Chereiss Bailey expressed their grief, stating that she was a beloved member of their family and lamented the loss of future memories with her. Detective Inspector Michelle Cordell from West Midlands Police commented on the case, describing Anslow as a violent predator who misrepresented himself as vulnerable. Anslow and Ferguson are scheduled to be sentenced at a later date.