OWATONNA, Minn. — Thousands of miles away in Minnesota, a dark plot was uncovered and foiled to murder a famous British woman.
Gavin Plumb was convicted on Thursday of planning the kidnapping, rape and murder of Holly Willoughby, a popular British TV personality.
According to police in Essex, outside London, Plumb carefully planned the attack over years.
“Gavin Plumb is a dangerous, predatory individual who was intent on causing the most serious harm to his victim,” Detective Chief Inspector Greg Wood said. “Today, Gavin Plumb remains where he belongs: behind bars.”
The investigation into Plumb began in Minnesota.
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In an online chat, he asked an undercover police officer in Owatonna to commit the kidnapping and murder.
The agent contacted both the FBI and British police.
The agent testified anonymously in the trial last month via video call, using the name David Nelson, and told the jury that he uses several false identities in his online social media investigations.
He says he looks into human trafficking and kidnapping cases, and that he came across Plumb in a group called ‘Abduct Lovers’.
“Today, we are extremely grateful to our colleagues in U.S. law enforcement who not only brought Gavin Plumb to our attention, but also helped gather crucial evidence that led to his conviction,” Wood said.
Willoughby released a statement to British media, saying in part: “I will be eternally grateful to the undercover officer who understood the threat.”
Owatonna police say they will release more information about the case next week.
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