David Austin, jailed for life over the notorious 2004 murder of Charlie Butler in Dagenham, died last December. The Prison and Probation Ombudsman confirmed Austin, originally from New Addington, south London, passed away on December 1 due to a thrombotic stroke.
The Shocking Murder That Gripped Dagenham
Charlie Butler, a wheelclamping firm owner with a questionable reputation, was shot near his Dagenham home in October 2004. Despite surviving the attack, Butler battled his injuries for nine months before dying.
The mystery lingered until 2006 when CCTV footage from outside Butler’s home dropped on BBC’s Crimewatch. The chilling video showed Butler stepping out of his Range Rover late at night, only to be chased and shot after stumbling.
Two Men Caught After CCTV Breakthrough
- Johnson identified as the gunman
- Austin as the getaway driver
Both men were spotted by viewers of the Crimewatch broadcast, who tipped off police. At trial, it emerged Johnson was allegedly hired by Butler’s wife and step-daughter—though neither faced charges.
Twists, Trials, and a £6 Million Legal Fiasco
The case was dubbed “a conspiracy theorists’ dream” at trial, packed with sex, violence, blackmail, celebrity, and betrayal. Several trials collapsed, including a 2008 fiasco costing taxpayers £6 million when the House of Lords quashed evidence from anonymous witnesses.
After a third attempt, both Johnson and Austin were finally convicted and handed life sentences with minimum terms of 30 years.
Austin was serving time at HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire when he died, closing a dark chapter in one of London’s most twisted murder cases.
