Funeral director victims’ fury as police make film while telling them to keep quiet

Loved ones hurt by Legacy Independent Funeral Services have accuse police of ‘double standards’ after telling them to keep quiet while officers were working alongside a documentary team

Victims of a disgraced ‘Frankenstein funeral director’ who is facing jail after stockpiling bodies have told of their anger after discovering police have been working with a documentary team.

The families were repeatedly told to stay silent before Robert Bush’s trial but were then told officers at Humberside Police had been working with a film company.

London-based Brinkworth productions, who are behind such programmes as ‘Chloe Madeley: a family affair’ and ‘Police: Hour of Duty’, were allowed to shadow the police after Bush, 48, was charged.

Fuming Claire Stockdale, 47, whose gran Jessie Stockdale’s body was discovered at Legacy, said: “They told us to say nothing to protect the court case. But all along they were working with this documentary team.”

Claire, who was in court to watch Bush plead guilty on Thursday, explained when they found out about the documentary being made with Humberside Police.

She said: “We didn’t find out about it until December. It’s a terrible double standard.”

Jessie died in October 2023 – her family attending a funeral and receiving ashes. Five months later police found her body among the 31 corpses recovered by police and the family had to hold a second funeral. Claire added: “Nothing surprises me any more.

“The police stopped talking to us directly a while ago and now just send text messages. It’s disgraceful really, but not at all surprising.”

Senior investigating officer, Detective Supt, Alan Curtis, wrote to the families on December 19th, asking them to “refrain” from talking to the media while the case is “still live”.

He said: “Throughout this investigation we have always asked that people refrain from posting online or engaging with the media whilst the case is still live to ensure the investigation and proceedings are not prejudiced in any way…

“I completely understand the strength of emotion in this case, the investigation and proceedings will be concluded at some point soon and we would request that anyone involved with the case and legal proceedings refrain from posting online or speaking about their involvement until proceedings have concluded. This will help to ensure the integrity of those witnesses’ evidence and ensure a fair trial for all those involved.”

But then a few paragraphs later he turned to the subject of ‘Documentary filming’ and said filming had started in November 2025 with a ‘number of officers’

They also said the production company had also identified a number of families they wished to speak to and filming had started with them but stressed they were not those involved in the criminal trial. The letter said: “We can confirm that the investigation and upcoming trial are being filmed for a TV documentary.

“…The investigation team was not engaged with any production company prior to the defendant being charged. To try and ensure any production is accurate, delivered sensitively and tells the story of the victims and families in a dignified and respectful manner, Humberside Police have agreed to work with a production company…”

Mum of two Michaela Baldwin, 35, whose step dad Danny Middleton was one of the victims said the families had been through “hell” for two years.

“It’s like a two tier system, we were told not to speak to the media while they were. We were keeping quiet and they were running off talking to the documentary team. It’s horrible,” she said.

“It’s disappointing really because they are doing what we were told not to. We were told it could jeopardise the trial so why were they doing it then?”

Karen Dry, who organised vigils for the bereaved, said it was “unfair” adding: “I hope everyone watches it so it doesn’t happen to their families. But the rest of the journalists should have been included in this information.

“They were telling the families not to speak as you might compromise the case while they were being followed round by documentary makers, which one is it?

“Had it been a level playing field everyone would have had the same access.”

Humberside Police said in a statement: “Over the course of the past two years, the investigation into Legacy Independent Funeral Directors has had a significant impact on everyone involved.

“Following the charging of Robert Bush in April 2025, Humberside Police agreed for Brinkworth Productions to follow our Major Crime Team throughout the rest of the investigation. Brinkworth was appointed following a selection process.

“Like many forces across the country, we regularly work with television production companies to help show the public what we do. No profit is being made by Humberside Police from this production.

“We hope the documentary will provide insight into the complexity of this investigation and will demonstrate the hard work of our officers and staff to bring justice for the victims.”