28 - Inside the Manchester Arena Bombing Investigation with Bob Gallagher MBE

On 22nd May 2017, a suicide bomber detonated a homemade explosive device in the foyer of Manchester Arena as thousands of concertgoers — many of them children — were leaving an Ariana Grande concert. Twenty-two innocent people were killed and hundreds more were injured. It was the biggest terrorist attack the UK had seen since the 7/7 bombings.

This episode is released one week before the 9th anniversary of that night.

In this episode, Ange and Dee are joined once again by Bob Gallagher MBE — former Senior Crime Scene Investigator, Crime Scene Manager and forensic and digital investigations lead at Greater Manchester Police's Counter Terrorism Unit. Bob received his MBE for his services to counter terrorism policing, including his role leading the forensic response to the Manchester Arena bombing.

Bob takes us under the barrier tape on the investigation — sharing details that go far beyond what the public ever gets to see. He talks us through the painstaking process of disaster victim identification, the recovery and reconstruction of the device, and the forensic pursuit of Hashim Abedi — the bomber's brother — who had fled to Libya.

He also reveals the remarkable forensic breakthrough that helped secure the case: a 20-year-old heel prick blood test taken at birth, which provided the DNA evidence needed to identify Hashim and ultimately bring him to justice. Bob was in court at the Old Bailey when the guilty verdict was returned — and he admits he shed a tear.

This is a deeply moving, forensically fascinating, and important account of what it truly took to investigate one of the darkest nights in recent British history — told by the man at the heart of it.

This episode is dedicated to the 22 lives lost on 22nd May 2017, and to all those whose lives were changed forever that night.

If you have been affected by the Manchester Arena attack, or would like to find out more about the memorial or access support, please visit 💙 manchesterattacksupport.org.uk

💙 In memory of the 22 lives lost on 22nd May 2017:

Saffie-Rose Roussos, 8

Nell Jones, 14

Sorrell Leczkowski, 14

Eilidh MacLeod, 14

Megan Hurley, 15

Olivia Campbell-Hardy, 15

Chloe Rutherford, 17 & Liam Curry, 19

Georgina Callander, 18

Courtney Boyle, 19 & Philip Tron, 32

John Atkinson, 28

Martyn Hett, 29

Kelly Brewster, 32

Angelika Klis, 39 & Marcin Klis, 42

Elaine McIver, 43

Lisa Lees, 43 & Alison Howe, 45

Michelle Kiss, 45

Wendy Fawell, 50

Jane Tweddle, 51

Forever in our hearts. Never forgotten. 💙

⚠️ This episode contains detailed descriptions of a terrorist attack, mass casualties, and graphic forensic content. Listener discretion is advised.

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