Moment murderers turned on each other behind bars appears in new episode of Channel 4’s 24 Hours In Police Custody showing how detectives cracked a baffling case

• Sam Mechelewski, 20 was murdered in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire in 2018
• His body was discovered by a dog walker on February 1 in a country park 
• Detectives found a notepad at the scene linking the victim to the killers 
• A Channel 4 documentary team had exclusive access to the murder detectives  

The background of a brutal murder investigation where the two men accused of killing a drug dealer turn against each other has been made into a two-part documentary. 

The behind-the-scenes documentary follows detectives investigating the brutal murder of drug dealer Sam Mechelewski, 20, who was killed in a wooded area of Hinchingbrooke Country Park, in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire on January 31, 2018. 

His body was discovered by a dog walker in an area chosen by the killers because of the lack CCTV coverage. 

Jordan Shepherd, 25, left, and Ashley White, 22, right, were jailed for at least 28 years after being convicted of the murder of small-time drug dealer Sam Mechelewski, 20 in a wooded area of Hinchingbrooke Country Park, in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire on January 31, 2018.

DCI Adam Gallop, pictured, led the murder investigation which he described as incredibly challenging 

A team from Channel 4 followed Cambridgeshire detectives while they investigated the drug dealer’s brutal murder

Detectives were followed by a documentary team from Channel 4’s 24 Hours in Police Custody. 

Officers soon linked the victim to drug dealing, but finding conclusive evidence between Mechelewski and the suspects was difficult. 

The 20-year-old drug dealer suffered a horrific death. His post mortem recorded at least 20 stab wounds or blows from a baseball bat. 

Normally detectives rely on eyewitnesses or electronic evidence to piece together the final hours of any murder victim. 

Physical searches are also carried out of the scene to find weapons used in the murder. But according to Cambridgeshire police, despite searches of the park – including the deployment of specialist dive teams, no murder weapon could be found. 

Officers were also unable to recover Michelewski’s mobile phone. Often electronic devices can provide vital evidence linking a killer to the victim. 

Sam MIchelewski was murdered because of his involvement in cannabis dealing 

However, the killers left behind a notebook at the scene which linked the victim to Jordan Shepherd, 25, and Ashley White, 22.

A year after the murder, in January 2019, Shepherd of Chatteris and White of Brampton were convicted of Michelewski’s murder following an eight-week trial. 

Shepherd was jailed for a minimum of 28 years and six months while White received a 29-year jail term.  

Detective Chief Inspector Adam Gallop said: ‘This is a powerful programme, depicting an incredibly challenging investigation into an extraordinary crime which was motivated by the cannabis market.

‘Jordan Shepherd and Ashley White are dangerous young men, with the proven propensity to commit significant and devastating acts of violence. In the process they have ruined their own lives.

‘Many witnesses, some friends of Sam and some not, courageously came forward, for which I and Sam’s family are truly grateful. Those witnesses, many of them young people should be very proud of what they have done. Some witnesses did not engage with the investigation, possibly through fear, or through some sense of loyalty to the murderers, others were very challenging to engage with as their minds and memories were ruined by drug abuse.

‘Through all these challenges Sam’s family remained dignified, determined and patient and were an inspiration for me and the team of officers committed to this investigation. Our deepest sympathies continue to go to them following this tragedy.’

Shepherd, pictured, was jailed for a minimum of 28 years and six months in January 2019

DC Kevin Hill, pictured, reviewed CCTV footage in an effort to identify the killers 

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