In a harrowing case that has shocked the West Midlands, killer Mohammed Durnion gave a chillingly indifferent response when police officers asked him how deeply he had buried his victim, mother-of-two Reanne Coulson. The 42-year-old was led handcuffed into Binley Woods, where he pointed to the remote spot and told authorities she was "under there."
Gruesome Discovery in Coventry Woodland
Durnion strangled 34-year-old Reanne Coulson in his Coventry flat on May 21 last year before transporting her body to Binley Woods on the outskirts of the city. There, he spent approximately thirty minutes digging a shallow grave in the undergrowth, set her remains on fire, and covered them with earth and leaves in a desperate attempt to conceal his crime.
Bodycam Footage Reveals Killer's Callous Demeanor
Police bodycam footage presented at Warwick Crown Court captured the moment Durnion was escorted to the burial site. When officers inquired, "She's buried? How deep?" the defendant replied with the cold, calculated words: "Deep enough." He further disclosed that he had used a shovel to excavate the hole for Reanne's body, displaying a complete lack of remorse throughout the interaction.
Courtroom Verdicts and Co-Defendant Conviction
After more than ten hours of deliberation over four days, jurors at Warwick Crown Court cleared Durnion of murder but found him guilty of manslaughter by a majority 11-1 verdict. The panel also convicted his co-defendant and friend, 39-year-old Adam Moore, by an identical 11-1 majority verdict for assisting an offender by helping dispose of Reanne Coulson's body the day after she was strangled. Durnion remained calm and stared at the floor as the verdicts were delivered.
Prosecution's Case and Defendant's Claims
During the trial, prosecutors argued that Durnion launched a sudden and deliberate attack on Reanne, resulting in her death, before fabricating a mental health crisis when police arrived at the scene. In contrast, Durnion told the court that Reanne had died from an apparent overdose following an argument at his Paynes Lane flat. Claiming he feared being blamed, he placed her in a suitcase and drove her to the woodland location.
Family's Anguish and Public Appeal
Reanne's older brother, Ashley, previously expressed gratitude to the public for their assistance in locating his sister and requested privacy for the family to grieve. Kirsten, Reanne's twin sister, described her as "loved by many" and noted that it was "out of the ordinary" for her not to return home. "Reanne is not only my sister but my twin sister, a mother, a daughter and an aunt," she stated emotionally.
The court heard that a neighbour had called 999 weeks before Reanne was found, reporting screams and cries for help. Police conducted a search of Durnion's flat but were unable to locate her body, which Durnion later claimed he had hidden under a mattress. Mohammed Durnion is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date, while the community continues to grapple with this tragic loss.
