A routine monitoring of a crime-infested chatroom by a Minnesota detective has resulted in the arrest and conviction of a U.K. man who planned to stalk and murder popular English TV personality Holly Willoughby.
In October 2023, the detective, using the alias David Nelson, uncovered 37-year-old Gavin Plumb's violent plot to kidnap and murder Willoughby in an online chat called 'Abduct Lovers' through the Kik instant messaging app.
Owatonna Police Chief Jeff Mundale highlighted the detective's commitment to working covert cases across various social media platforms, which led to the discovery of this case. The detective's usual work involves sex-trafficking cases involving minors, rape-for-hire, and illegal firearms transactions.
Upon recognizing the imminent danger to Willoughby, the detective alerted FBI authorities, who then contacted London Metropolitan Police and Essex Police for swift action. U.K. authorities expressed gratitude for the Minnesota officer's undercover work, leading to Plumb's conviction on charges related to soliciting Willoughby's murder and planning her kidnap and rape.
Plumb, described as a dangerous and predatory individual by Essex Detective Chief Inspector, had meticulously planned the attack over several years, including purchasing items like metal cable ties, ropes, and chloroform to assist in the crime.
During his trial, Plumb claimed his murder plot was a 'fantasy' and a 'massively regrettable' mistake, but the evidence compiled with the help of the Owatonna officer led to his guilty verdict.
Following his conviction, Essex police released a video of Plumb's arrest, where he admitted Willoughby was a 'fantasy' of his. Willoughby, in response, expressed gratitude to the undercover police officer and the Metropolitan and Essex police forces for their swift response to the threat.
Chief Mundale emphasized that the Owatonna Police Department Detective Unit conducts online investigations without geographic boundaries, monitoring criminal activity and chatter to gather intelligence and prevent crimes like trafficking of minors or hiring for rape or murder.
