Channel 4
Documentary2026
The Showjumper Murder
Channel 4's feature-length documentary investigating Katie Simpson's death and the institutional failures it exposed — broadcast to a national audience in 2026.
Registered Charity NI111085
The Katie Trust
Specialist expertise on unexplained death, domestic abuse, coercive control and safeguarding — grounded in lived experience and investigative learning.
WE LISTEN · WE CARE · WE ACT
Authority & Recognition
A Trusted Voice Across Northern Ireland and the UK
The Katie Trust is recognised by statutory bodies, professional networks and the media as a specialist source of expertise on unexplained and suspicious deaths, domestic abuse, coercive control and safeguarding failures.
Charity Commission for Northern Ireland
Registered charity NI111085 — regulated by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland and operating to the highest standards of governance and accountability.
NICVA Member Organisation
Member of the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action — the umbrella body for the voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland.
Channel 4 Documentary
Subject of Channel 4's documentary The Showjumper Murder (2026), which brought Katie Simpson's story and the questions it raised to a national audience of millions.
Investigative Learning
Founded by a retired Detective Sergeant with direct experience of unexplained death investigations — bringing professional investigative expertise to advocacy, training and systemic reform.
Areas of Expertise
Where We Can Help
The Katie Trust offers specialist knowledge and practical expertise across five interconnected areas — available to journalists, commissioners, legal professionals, safeguarding bodies and statutory agencies.
Unexplained & Suspicious Deaths
Expert insight into how institutions investigate — or fail to investigate — unexplained and suspicious deaths. Drawing on direct case experience and investigative learning to identify systemic failures and advocate for families.
Domestic Abuse & Coercive Control
Specialist understanding of domestic abuse and coercive control — including how it presents, how it is missed by professionals and institutions, and what effective responses look like.
Safeguarding & Institutional Failure
Analysis of safeguarding failures across policing, social care, healthcare and equestrian settings — with a focus on the moments where professional response can make a real difference.
Bereaved Family Support & Advocacy
Direct support and advocacy for families with unanswered questions after a sudden or unexplained death — helping them navigate institutions, access information and have their voice heard.
Professional Learning & CPD
CPD-accredited training for frontline professionals — drawing on real case learning to improve recognition of and response to domestic abuse, coercive control and unexplained death.
Founded by
James Brannigan
Founder & Director, Retired Detective Sergeant
James Brannigan founded The Katie Trust in memory of his daughter Katie Simpson — a talented young showjumper from Northern Ireland whose death raised serious and unanswered questions about how institutions respond when a death is unexplained.
James brings over two decades of experience as a Detective Sergeant to his work with the Trust — combining professional investigative expertise with the lived experience of a bereaved father navigating a system that too often fails families like his.
He is available for media interviews, professional speaking engagements, conference presentations and partnership discussions. All enquiries are welcomed.
Contact JamesMedia & Press
In the Media
The Katie Trust and James Brannigan are available for media interviews, expert comment and documentary participation. We have worked with national broadcasters and press on issues of unexplained death, domestic abuse and safeguarding.
Watch on Channel 4
Press & Media
For media enquiries, interview requests and expert comment, please contact The Katie Trust directly.
Partnerships & Collaboration
Working Together
The Katie Trust works in partnership with statutory bodies, voluntary organisations, professional networks and academic institutions to drive systemic change in how unexplained deaths and domestic abuse are investigated and responded to.
The Bridle Path Initiative
Our primary delivery partner — working alongside The Katie Trust on the Justice Beyond the Gate campaign, professional training and equestrian safeguarding.
Work With The Katie Trust
Whether you are a journalist seeking expert comment, a commissioner exploring training, a legal professional with a referral, or an organisation interested in partnership — we would like to hear from you.