A chilling new documentary speaks to the victims of stalkers about how being targeted has destroyed their lives.
Stalking: State Of Fear features exclusive access to stalking victims, along with the family of Gracie Spinks, who was murdered by her stalker.
Who was Gracie Spinks?
Gracie Spinks was a lifeguard from Old Whittington who was murdered on June 18, 2021.
Spinks was a swimming instructor and lifeguard but had been working as a warehouse operative at the time of her death.
She was a keen equestrian and had her own horse.
Gracie was last seen alive by her mother at 7:30am that fateful day in June 2021, when she left home to tend to her horse.
She was found unconscious in the horse’s field after 8am and a man was seen running away.
A vivacious, out-going, friendly and amazing young woman, fiercely independent and busy living life to the full, looking forward to the future and all it promised.
Family of Gracie Spinks
Initially it was thought she had been kicked by the horse, but paramedics realised she had been attacked and called police.
She was declared dead at 8:50am.
The 23-year-old was “a vivacious, out-going, friendly and amazing young woman, fiercely independent and busy living life to the full, looking forward to the future and all it promised,” a website dedicated to Gracie said.
The part-time model was born on October 19, 1997, in Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
She was the first child of Richard and Alison, being joined 16 months later by her brother Thomas.
The tribute website stated that although her parents separated when she was five in 2002, “she remained close to both her parents and enjoyed a busy life and close bond with both.”
Gracie competed in many horse shows, having cultivated her passion since the age of 11.
In addition to her love of all things equestrian, swimming was a big part of her life.
She joined Dronfield Swimming School, passed all her badges and went on to become a swimming teacher and lifeguard.
The tribute concludes: “Let Gracie’s message to us all be ‘It’s time for change’ so that no other person and family has to live with the pain and devastation this tragedy has caused.”
Speaking exclusively to The Sun, Gracie’s dad, Richard Spinks, 68, says: “Gracie was non-stop with her interests and passions. She had her whole life mapped out.
“It was all ripped away.”
Asked how he feels towards his daughter’s killer, he says: “He obviously wasn’t right in the head. He needed help right from the start.”
Who killed Gracie Spinks?
In February 2021 she had reported a former colleague, Michael Sellers, to police for stalking.
He had been her supervisor at a warehouse where she once worked.
The 35-year-old is said to have been “obsessed” with Gracie, and she warned police about his behaviour.
When he turned up at the stable where she kept her horse, she reported him to the authorities and told them he would “kidnap someone”.
Four months later, Sellers murdered Gracie at the same yard in Duckmanton, Derbyshire.
Sellers was found dead in a field less than a mile away, at 11am the same day.
How was Gracie Spinks killed?
Separate inquests were held into both Gracie and Sellers’ deaths.
A post-mortem examination revealed that Spinks died from a stab wound that severed an artery and her spine, with no evidence of sexual assault.
Police believe that Sellers was responsible for her stab wounds.
A jury concluded that Gracie was unlawfully killed by Sellers.
It was revealed Sellers had previously harassed at least eight other women.
Derbyshire Police admitted a number of failings in the handling of her case.
Consequently, the force referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct due to their prior interactions with Gracie.
The investigation resulted in disciplinary notices being issued to five officers.
Two officers received notices for their handling of Gracie’s stalking allegations against Sellers.
A sergeant and two constables were issued misconduct orders for their actions upon finding a bag containing weapons— a hammer, an axe, and knives — in May 2021 near where Gracie was later stabbed.
Her family has actively campaigned for “Gracie’s Law,” which aims to increase funding for the investigation of stalking cases. Her parents have expressed that she was let down by the police.
Where did Gracie Spinks work?
In April 2020, she joined e-commerce firm Xbite in Derbyshire.
Sellers was her supervisor and was described by colleagues as quiet, shy, and “very introverted”.
The killer, who lived with his parents, was said to “latch onto someone who gave him attention”.
Soon after Gracie began working alongside him, Sellers started to show an interest.
They had a friendly relationship, messaging each other, meeting outside of work, going for walks, and visiting each other’s homes.
However, as Christmas 2020 approached, Sellers’ behaviour became alarming.
He arrived at her home with items she had requested, unexpectedly kissed her, and attempted to get physically close.
Gracie asked him to stop and to leave her house.
The following day, she told him that she was not interested in a romantic relationship and proceeded to block him on social media.
Despite this, Sellers persisted.
He began to stalk Gracie, sending her numerous messages, monitoring her activities through company CCTV, and even asking a colleague to spy on her.
Four days after Gracie had blocked his calls and messages, Sellers was seen parked near the paddock where her horse was kept at Blue Lodge Farm in Duckmanton.
Timeline of missed opportunities
April 2020: Gracie Spinks starts at Xbite, meeting Michael Sellers
October 2020: They begin messaging and meet outside work
December 2020: Sellers forces himself on Gracie during a home visit
December 16, 2020: Gracie ends their communication
December 31, 2020: Gracie blocks Sellers on social media
January 4, 2021: After spotting Sellers near her horse’s stable, Gracie reports him to police and her employers
January 27, 2021: Xbite fires Sellers for misconduct after discovering his inappropriate actions towards other female colleagues
February 2021: Gracie reports Sellers’ stalking behaviour to the police
February 18, 2021: Police close the stalking case
May 6, 2021: A bag containing weapons and Viagra is found near Gracie’s stable
June 18, 2021: Gracie is discovered in a paddock at Blue Lodge Farm at 8.13am. She has been stabbed 10 times. Sellers is found dead nearby from self-inflicted suffocation.
Gracie spotted him, drove past without stopping, and reported the incident to her employers.
HR managers at Xbite initiated an investigation and concluded that Sellers failed to understand the consequences of his actions.
The operations manager handling Gracie’s complaints noted that Sellers showed “no remorse”.
Just over three weeks after the investigation began, Sellers was terminated from his position.
He’s done it to other girls at the warehouse, which I didn’t know. Every single time it’s got weirder and weirder.
Gracie Spinks' call to 101
The following month, Gracie contacted Derbyshire Police via the non-emergency 101 number to report Sellers’ increasingly strange behaviour.
She told the call handler: “As soon as I called it off, he was getting weirder and weirder.
“He’s been following me on the cameras at work. They’ve seen him do it.
“He’s done it to other girls at the warehouse, which I didn’t know. Every single time it’s got weirder and weirder.”
Sellers was only spoken to by an inexperienced constable and was not formally interviewed.
On top of this, bodycam footage from the meeting was not preserved and Xbite’s disciplinary records on Sellers were not obtained.
During Gracie’s inquest, a senior officer critiqued the final crime report as “not very good”.
Police closed the stalking case against Sellers, who was advised on his conduct due to no prior violent threats or police history.
Later, a dog walker found a weapons-filled bag which was dismissed by officers as bushcraft tools.
How to watch Stalking: State of Fear
Stalking: State Of Fear examines multiple cases where victims feel the police response to stalking, which affects nearly two million British women, is insufficient.
There is currently only a five per cent conviction rate.
It includes the story of a doctor named Marie, who lost her hair due to stress from her stalking experience, involving a tracker placed on her car.
Although her stalker was charged, it was for a lesser offence than Marie had hoped.
She advocates for legal reforms, deeming the current laws inadequate.
The documentary also covers the initiatives pushed by Gracie’s family and friends, including enhanced police training and the appointment of dedicated stalking coordinators.
They reiterate that without substantial changes, more lives will be lost.
Stalking: State Of Fear airs on ITV1 on Tuesday, April 30, at 9pm and is available on ITVX now.
Where to get help if you're being stalked
Contact the police if you're being stalked - you have a right to feel safe in your home and workplace.
National Stalking Helpline
The National Stalking Helpline provides support for victims and works towards reducing the risk of harassment, stalking, aggression, and violence by empowering people to take steps to avoid, mitigate or manage risks across all aspects of their life.
Telephone number: 0808 802 0300
Paladin – National Stalking Advocacy Service
Paladin provides support to high risk victims of stalking. The provide and train ISACS (Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworkers) across the country. Paladin also offers specialist support for 16-25 year olds.
Telephone number: 0203 866 4107
Email: info@paladinservice.co.uk
Action Against Stalking (Scotland)
Action Against Stalking offers support for stalking victims with Throughcare Support Practitioners providing confidential, specialised and free counselling.
Telephone number: 0800 820 2427