Neighbors in a suburban Lancashire village welcomed Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazakerley into their community, unaware that the couple had been investigated for the murder of their adopted 13-month-old son, Preston Davey. The couple purchased a five-bedroom home for £450,000 in August 2023, less than three weeks after the infant's death on July 27, 2023.
During their seven-week trial, it emerged that Preston had been subjected to a campaign of sexual abuse and suffered 40 traumatic injuries during the four months he was in the couple's care. Varley, 37, was found guilty of murder, assault by penetration, sexual assault, causing grievous bodily harm, and cruelty. He received a whole life sentence. McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child, cruelty, and sexual assault, and was jailed for 25 years. The court heard that Preston had been a happy child for the first nine months of his life before the abuse began.
Varley, a former school teacher, and McGowan-Fazakerley, a financial sales manager, had been arrested in July 2023 but were released on bail pending further inquiries. They maintained a carefully curated image of a successful, friendly couple, engaging in neighborhood events and decorating their home for holidays like Christmas, Easter, and Halloween. Neighbors described them as sociable and welcoming, with some forming close friendships.
"He and John hid behind a mask of respectability," one neighbor told the Daily Mail. "They were this warm sociable couple who knew everybody and who everybody liked - but really they were the worst kind of abusers. Jamie was a baby killer and nobody knew."
During Halloween, the couple decorated their home with elaborate displays, including a large spider web and dangling skeletons, inviting local children to participate. Neighbors now view these festive activities with horror, realizing they occurred only months after Preston's death. The couple also frequently socialized with a retired prison officer and his wife who lived nearby, sharing drinks and conversation on their driveway.
Even after their arrest, the couple purchased their new home while the investigation was ongoing. Varley, who was suspended from his teaching position after his arrest, remained on paid leave until his employment was formally terminated after he was charged. The couple's previous home in Blackpool was where the abuse and murder of Preston took place.
Neighbors at their former residence had expressed concerns about the couple's behavior, reporting raised voices and unusual amounts of crying from Preston. One neighbor recalled McGowan-Fazakerley knocking to apologize for the noise. Preston's crying was described as high-pitched and distressed.
Detective Chief Inspector Andy Fellows, who led the murder investigation, stated, "Almost from day one, they set about abusing Preston and making his short life a harrowing tale of misery and pain." He characterized Varley as a manipulator who, along with McGowan-Fazakerley, attempted to present themselves as a perfect family with perfect lives, a facade that hid a vastly different reality.
The couple's new home was later sold at auction for £385,000, a significant loss from their purchase price. Residents expressed concern that the association with the couple and the crime could negatively impact property values in the community.