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Man in a Bag cover art

Man in a Bag

By: Reduced Listening
Narrated by: Jonathan Maitland,Vanessa Bowles
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  • Summary

  • What led to the bizarre and macabre death of British spy, Gareth Williams, whose body was found padlocked inside a sports bag in his flat in London. Nobody is charged with his killing and more than a decade on, Gareth’s death remains a mystery. 

    Was he assassinated by Russian secret services? 

    Or were other forces at play? 

    Journalists Jonathan Maitland and Vanessa Bowles investigate one of the strangest deaths in recent British history.
    ©2022 Audible, Ltd. (P)2022 Audible, Ltd.
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Episodes
  • Ep 1: Missing

    Ep 1: Missing
    Sep 21 2022

    British spy Gareth Williams hasn’t turned up for work. The police have found a body, padlocked inside a bag, at his flat in London....
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    25 mins
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  • Ep 2: The Island

    Ep 2: The Island
    Sep 21 2022

    Who was Gareth Williams? Gareth was a brilliant mathematician from a Welsh-speaking island. The community suspects he was murdered and people are reluctant to talk.
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    34 mins
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  • Ep 3: Russian Connection

    Ep 3: Russian Connection
    Sep 21 2022

    Gareth was assassinated by the Russians, according to a former British government minister and an ex-spy who worked for Russian intelligence.
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    24 mins
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Murder
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What listeners say about Man in a Bag

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Exploitative and unnecessary

Probably the best examples of why not everything needs to be a podcast. It's incredibly exploitative, verges into a weird judgemental tangent on bdsm for two episodes, non stop speculation and opinions vs facts. Like who are these people, digging over a case they have no business being involved in?? Shameful and an absolute waste of time.

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14 people found this helpful

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  • S
  • 06-02-23

But why?

A thoroughly pointless exercise. This seems to provide little illumination or even intelligent analysis. Feels exploitative; the family must be deeply distressed and for what? Deeply disappointing. Really one to avoid.

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6 people found this helpful

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Profile Image for Grant C

Intriguing, disturbing, fascinating. Superb.

What a superb series. I was aware of the story when it broke but was completely unaware of the complexity of the case, and the many competing theories. It was great to get a proper insight into Gareth as a person, the teams investigating what happened, and the impossible to answer questions throughout.

This is a good example of great investigative journalism; frank, balanced, non-sensationalist, and willing to ask the awkward questions, and with an emphasis on evidence.

Highly recommended.

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4 people found this helpful

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Interesting topic

Interesting topic, I found the last episode such an anticlimax but that maybe personal opinion

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4 people found this helpful

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Profile Image for Sigrin

Surprisingly good


I noticed there were a lot of people who slated this podcast. I personally really enjoyed listening to it.

I remember the case very well and all the conspiracy theories surrounding it.

However in the words of one of the expert witnesses why go to all that trouble to murder someone.

Highly recommended.

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3 people found this helpful

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Profile Image for Ms O

Thought provoking

It started a bit slow, but then I really got into it. It was well thought through. Each element was obviously carefully researched and presented. Well worth a listen, although whatever your conclusion is, it’s incredibly sad.

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3 people found this helpful

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Gripping

Gripping Podcast . Great investigative journalism. Reviews case from every angle . Kept me entertained on a very long car journey ! Highly recommend .

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Very sad for Gareth's family & friends

I remember this case being in the press at the time, so was interested to see if any new information had been found. Sadly it just appears to be another misleading media production as there are key details missing from this podcast, such as the door and locks having been removed when the police arrived at the flat and no mention of where the key for the padlock was found. I've since read other articles with unbiased details of the case - it makes this production seem like it's been done for the purpose of adding more doubt to the probability this was an unlawful killing.

The background on Gareth about his intelligence from an early age was incredible, and his parents must have been extremely proud. A very sad end to an exceptionally gifted man.

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Profile Image for Jamie

Awful

The hosts establish quite quickly that practically everyone that knew the subject of this documentary is hostile to its production. Despite this, they set out to construct a narrative arc for their podcast by credibly presenting misinformation and speculation and omitting key facts in the initial episodes. When those facts are finally revealed to the listener it's obvious that the entire thing was a frankly cruel waste of time.

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Profile Image for Suzanne Kenny

A fascinating story

Exploring various lines of inquiry and evidence available the presenters tell this story in an interesting and engaging way. A great listen.

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  • Jen Roy
  • 01-10-22

This was a great podcast

The man in the bag was a sensational series. It brought into light a homicide that made your rethink your entire idea of who your neighbor is.

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1 person found this helpful

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  • JT
  • 13-08-23

Very Engaging!

This was a great podcast. Very methodical and engaging story as we follow the possibilities of this death.

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  • Elizabeth Burns
  • 26-07-23

Really good story telling

Very interesting investigation and eventually an explanation regarding a very strange incident and how it ties into geopolitics

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  • Jeri
  • 09-07-23

Very interesting and compelling

I enjoyed this very much. The investigation kept my attention much more than I expected. I usually listen to sci-fi and thrillers and this was an excellent departure. I would love to here more from Vanessa Bowles. Her voice is fantastic!

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  • robert
  • 04-05-23

Depressing

The production and narrator were very good. The story is disturbing. I was reminded of the Tokyo episode of parts unknown where Anthony Bourdain delves into the BDSM. I was also reminded of my 13 year old neighbor who was found by his brother lifeless hanging naked from auto erotic asphyxiation . Sex is a river of fire which must be banked and cooled or it will consume. Will Durrant.

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  • Amber Higgins
  • 26-11-22

very sad and interesting story

This is a well done podcast. I hope some day the victims family find the answers they are looking for.

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