Two cousins have been jailed for 28 years after beating and stabbing a child’s father before dismembering his body with a samurai sword and dumping it “like garbage” after a row over an ex-girlfriend.
In January this year, Ashley Walsh, 34, was hit repeatedly in the head with a claw hammer by his friend Aaron Evitt, 34, who stabbed him in the chest before Gerard McGlacken, 45, complied and dismembered his body.
Evitt and McGlacken, who are cousins, then stuffed the body parts into plastic bags before packing them into four suitcases and hiding them under piles of leaves in a park.
Police made the grisly discovery ten days later after Evitt was arrested in connection with Walsh’s disappearance and confessed: “It took too long. You will need a van. I have to show you where he is.”
Talented motocross rider Mr. Walsh had been drinking and using drugs with Aaron Evitt, 34, and Gerard McGlacken, 45, on the night of Jan. 7 when an argument involving Evitt and the victim turned violent.
It emerged the row broke out after Mr Walsh admitted to having an affair with Evitt’s ex-girlfriend.
Two cousins were sentenced to 28 years in prison on Friday after beating and stabbing the father of an Ashley Walsh (pictured) to death before dismembering his body with a samurai sword and killing him after an argument over a Dump ex-girlfriend “like garbage”.
He had been dismembered through the neck, central torso, both upper arms near the shoulders, both thighs, and his lower left leg with a sword McGlacken kept as an ornament on his wall, kitchen knives, and an electronic saw.
A pathologist said the victim suffered multiple fractures to the face, 20 stab wounds, many of which were sustained while she was alive, and six to the chest that were potentially fatal.
At Manchester Crown Court, Evitt, who describes himself as “Tox-sick” on Facebook, and McGlacken were both found guilty of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment after a trial, as the victim’s friends and family cheered and clapped loudly in the public gallery .
Both admitted to having prevented a lawful and decent burial. They must each serve 28 years before being considered for parole.
In court, Walsh’s sister Helen broke down in tears as she said: “It is disgusting to learn how Ashley’s body was treated after his death. It was horrific to hear him being packed in suitcases and garbage being thrown out. It was horrifying to hear his killers say they “chopped him up”. You have shown no remorse.’
The murder came on January 7 this year after Walsh – who was said to be “inseparable” from his French mastiff dog Duke – went out for drinks with Evitt at McGlacken’s flat in the Collyhurst area.
Aaron Evitt, 34 (pictured), repeatedly hit Ashley Walsh, 34, over the head with a claw hammer and then stabbed him in the chest before Gerard McGlacken, 45, who joined the attack, dismembered his body
He was later reported missing by his family and concerns were raised when Duke wandered around the nearby beauty spot of Boggart Hall Clough alone. Evitt and McGlacken were arrested after being spotted on CCTV with Duke.
Evitt, who is a father of six, later led officers to Sand Hills Park in Collyhurst, a five-minute walk from McGlacken’s home, where Walsh’s remains were discovered.
McGlacken said the group initially had a “really good time” playing with Duke and taking photos together. However, the mood changed when Evitt and Walsh started arguing in the kitchen.
The pair began to scuffle before the victim pleaded, “Just let me go. Let me go.’
Both men then stuffed the body parts into plastic bags before packing them into four suitcases and hiding them under piles of leaves in a park. Pictured, McGlacken
McGlacken added, “Aaron didn’t let him go, he wanted answers. He wanted the truth from him and Aaron started trying to stop him from walking past him.
“I tried to get between them and told them to calm down, but I got pushed and fell. I’ve seen Aaron hit Ashley on the head more than once with a hammer while Ash raised his arms in defense.
“He was quite angry and hit him very hard.
“The last thing I remember is Ash lying on the floor not moving, he could have been sound asleep.
“I checked his pulse on his wrist, neck and chest to check his heartbeat. There was no pulse or anything that I thought was dead. I said to Aaron, ‘What the fuck have you been doing, you damn boy,”
The court heard Evitt had a video call from a friend who showed off her Walsh body and said he had “done something really bad”.
The friend thought Walsh’s body was a “mannequin,” then Evitt repeatedly stabbed him in the chest when he “thought he was already dead.”
Evitt later led officers to Sand Hills Park in Collyhurst, a five-minute walk from McGlacken’s home, where Walsh’s remains were discovered (pictured).
McGlacken said he cut up Walsh’s body to “protect” Evitt and he used the samurai sword, kitchen knives and an electric saw.
Over the next few days, both men cleaned the apartment with bleach and began packing the remains from plastic bags into four suitcases.
They took the cases one by one on Evitt’s bike to a local park under cover of night, where they hid them under some branches and leaves.
Then they went back to his apartment and put the larger suitcases in the same place. The Duke later dumped at Boggart Hole Clough.
The court heard both men had 55 prior felony counts on their records, including weapons and violence, and both had prison licenses at the time of the murders.
At the sentencing, Judge Julian Goose said the manner in which both men disposed of Walsh’s body was “grotesque and disgraceful” and said Evitt started the attack and McGlacken went along with it. He said McGlacken cut up the body while being encouraged by Evitt.
The judge added: “Ashley was ruthlessly and brutally killed and you are equally to blame. He was obviously harmed and the horrific dismemberment was cruel to his family.
“Your testimonies in court are heartfelt and moving. The circumstances of this described murder must have been appalling to her.’
