NEW FORENSIC DETAILS REVEAL THE FINAL HOURS OF BABY PRESTON DAVEY — AND THE EVIDENCE THAT DESTROYED THE DROWNING STORY

BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND — The death of 13-month-old Preston Davey was initially presented as a tragic accident. But evidence uncovered during the investigation told a very different story.

A Home Office postmortem found that Preston had suffered 40 traumatic injuries during the four months he was in the care of Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazakerley. The injuries included dozens of external bruises, internal injuries and a healing fracture to his upper arm that was determined to be non-accidental.

The forensic evidence ultimately became a central part of the prosecution’s case against Varley, who was convicted of murdering Preston and later received a whole-life order, meaning he will spend the rest of his life in prison.

THE FOUR-MONTH TIMELINE

Preston had spent the first nine months of his life with foster carers, where health professionals described him as healthy and happy.

He began living with Varley and McGowan-Fazakerley in April 2023 after their adoption was approved.

According to Lancashire Police, evidence recovered from mobile phones documented injuries and abuse during the months that followed. Photographs and videos from April, May and June showed Preston with injuries, while investigators also uncovered other evidence of physical and sexual abuse.

By the time Preston died on July 27, 2023, prosecutors said the injuries reflected a prolonged pattern of abuse rather than a single isolated incident.

THE FINAL HOURS

One of the most significant pieces of evidence came from a video recorded by Varley at approximately 4:45 p.m. on July 27.

The footage showed Preston lying on a bed, struggling to breathe and appearing to be in obvious discomfort, according to Lancashire Police.

Prosecutors alleged that earlier that day Preston had been assaulted while Varley was alone with him. They further alleged that a subsequent assault caused the airway obstruction that ultimately killed the child.

Despite Preston’s condition, he was not taken to hospital until approximately 6:24 p.m.

He arrived unconscious and in cardiac arrest.

Doctors attempted to save him, but Preston was pronounced dead that evening.

THE BATH STORY COLLAPSED UNDER FORENSIC EVIDENCE

After arriving at the hospital, Varley told medical staff and police that Preston had been left in a bath seat for several minutes and was later found submerged.

But the physical evidence did not support that explanation.

According to investigators, Preston was completely dry when he arrived at hospital, including his hair, and there was no medical evidence supporting drowning.

A pathologist instead determined that Preston died from acute upper-airway obstruction, with the medical evidence indicating smothering or an object or objects being inserted into his mouth.

That finding became a crucial challenge to the account given after Preston was taken to hospital.

40 INJURIES TOLD A MUCH BIGGER STORY

The postmortem examination found 40 traumatic injuries sustained over the period Preston was in the defendants’ care.

Among the injuries were at least 30 external bruises, internal injuries involving areas including the mouth and throat, and a healing fracture to his left upper arm that was considered non-accidental.

The prosecution argued that the injuries demonstrated a sustained pattern of cruelty and abuse rather than an isolated accident.

The defense disputed aspects of the prosecution’s interpretation during the trial, but jurors ultimately convicted Varley of murder and other offenses.

THE VERDICT

After a seven-week trial at Preston Crown Court, Jamie Varley was found guilty of murdering Preston as well as other offenses involving the child.

His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, was convicted of causing or allowing Preston’s death and additional offenses.

On June 18, Varley received a whole-life order. McGowan-Fazakerley was sentenced to 25 years, with two-thirds to be served in custody.

The case is no longer an unanswered mystery about an alleged drowning.

The evidence presented in court established a very different account: a baby who suffered repeated injuries during the months before his death, followed by a fatal airway obstruction and an explanation that prosecutors said was created to conceal what had happened.

Preston was only 13 months old. The forensic evidence ultimately told a story far different from the first explanation given for his death.