If I were to ask Lisa Squire, the mother of murdered university student Libby Squire, how she manages to face each new day, her answer would be profoundly simple: "because of Libby." This powerful sentiment forms the bedrock of her existence following the horrific crime that shattered her family and sent shockwaves across the nation.
A Bond That Transcends Tragedy
Having spoken with Lisa Squire on numerous occasions since the unbearable pain of her daughter's rape and murder, one truth shines through with crystalline clarity. The incredible, beautiful bond she shared with Libby remains unbroken, continuing to provide solace and purpose in the aftermath of profound loss. This enduring connection is her anchor against what she describes as a "tsunami of grief."
Her determination to forge a legacy worthy of her daughter is the very force that propels her from bed each morning. She dedicates countless hours to what she calls "Libby's work," often sitting just inches from her daughter's bed where Libby's ashes are kept. Her mission is unequivocal: to save other women and create meaningful change in her daughter's memory.
The Dangerous Escalation of 'Minor' Offences
Lisa Squire's advocacy is making a tangible difference, compelling many to reconsider behaviours we have too often dismissed. She has been instrumental in highlighting how non-contact sexual offences—such as voyeurism and indecent exposure—can serve as dangerous precursors to far more violent crimes.
All too commonly, society minimises such acts. We might share a laugh with friends about the local "flasher" or dismiss it as harmless mischief. However, this complacency masks a terrifying reality. The seemingly "friendly neighbourhood flasher" could, in fact, be on a perilous trajectory.
This was tragically exemplified by Pawel Relowicz, the man who escalated from being perceived as a "harmless peeping Tom" to becoming Libby Squire's killer. Lisa emphasises how offenders frequently seek out "target-rich environments," and in Relowicz's case, this was the student area of Hull.
A Catalogue of Escalating Crimes
In the months preceding Libby's death in 2019, Relowicz prowled the streets of Hull, committing a series of increasingly severe sexual crimes. One chilling incident occurred in the summer of 2017. A young woman, sharing an intimate moment with her boyfriend in her student house, noticed the room suddenly brighten from an outside streetlamp.
Looking up, she was confronted by the terrifying sight of a man's hands and face pushing through the curtains. Startled when her partner also turned, the intruder—Relowicz—fled. Hours later, her housemate returned home to find a used condom and a pair of worn, black lacy knickers hanging from the front door handle.
This act of voyeurism marked just the beginning. His trial at Sheffield Crown Court revealed an 18-month campaign of escalating offences leading to Libby's disappearance. Relowicz stole sex toys and underwear from student houses, masturbated in front of women in public, and left what prosecutors termed a "calling card"—a used condom and knickers—at multiple crime scenes, once even beside a toy belonging to a victim's child.
Forging a Legacy of Awareness and Prevention
Through her unimaginable pain, Lisa Squire is driving a crucial conversation. She is helping society understand the potential consequences of dismissing predatory behaviour, how it can escalate, and why we must all be alert to the "giant red flags" such actions represent. Her work ensures that Libby's legacy is one of protection, awareness, and a relentless pursuit of justice for all.
