Police charged 38-year-old Daniel Reeves of Bakewell Road, Matlock, on Thursday with the murder of James Whitmore, whose body was found near a livestock enclosure in Darley Dale at 7:30 a.m. on October 12, 2022.
Whitmore, a third-generation farmer, was shot once in the chest with a shotgun while feeding livestock that morning. The weapon was never recovered, according to a senior detective who spoke on condition of anonymity.
💡 Pro Tip
A shotgun wound to the chest at close range is typically fatal within minutes; recovery is rare without immediate medical intervention.
Detectives linked Reeves to the crime through DNA evidence recovered from a jacket left at the scene, which matched his genetic profile. The jacket, a dark-green waxed-cotton Barbour, was found draped over a fence post 15 meters from the body.
| Evidence Type | Source | Disclosure Date |
|---|---|---|
| DNA | Barbour jacket at scene | June 2023 |
| Witness Statement | Local farmer near Darley Dale | October 2022 |
| CCTV | Matlock retail park | October 2022 |
Reeves, who owns a small livestock haulage business, was arrested at his Matlock home on Wednesday and charged Thursday morning. He appeared at Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court Thursday afternoon, where he was remanded in custody ahead of a Crown Court hearing scheduled for November 5.
Key Points
- ✅ Reeves, 38, charged with murder of James Whitmore, 26
- ⚡ DNA from Barbour jacket at scene linked Reeves to crime
- 💡 CCTV from Matlock retail park places Reeves near Darley Dale that morning
Whitmore’s family issued a statement Thursday evening expressing relief but calling for justice to be served swiftly. His father, Richard Whitmore, said: “James’ memory deserves more than two years of waiting. We trust the legal process will deliver the truth.”
📋 By The Numbers
- 26 years — Age of victim James Whitmore
- 38 years — Age of suspect Daniel Reeves
- 15 meters — Distance from body where evidence jacket was found
The Derbyshire Constabulary confirmed the murder charge follows a 25-month inquiry involving more than 200 officers and forensic specialists. Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Langley said: “This has been a complex case, but justice delayed is not justice denied. We remain committed to uncovering every detail.”
- October 12, 2022, 7:30 a.m. — Body found near livestock enclosure in Darley Dale
- October 2022 — Initial witness statements and CCTV analysis begin
- June 2023 — DNA evidence links Reeves to scene
- October 2024 — Reeves arrested and charged
- November 5, 2024 — Crown Court hearing scheduled
Ballistics reports indicate the shotgun used was a double-barrel shotgun, likely a 12-gauge, commonly used in rural areas for pest control. Investigators believe the weapon may have been stolen from a nearby farm in late 2021.
- 📊 Shotguns are rarely registered in the UK, complicating tracing efforts
- 🔍 Local firearms licensing records show no recent theft reports matching the description
- ⚠️ Police urge anyone with information about the missing shotgun to come forward
The murder charge comes amid heightened scrutiny of rural crime in Derbyshire, where livestock theft and farm vandalism have risen 18% in the past year. Whitmore’s killing has galvanized local farmers, who are calling for tighter security measures and community vigilance.