Man Jailed for Life for Murdering His Brother Near Redruth

A man has been jailed for life after murdering his brother in the kitchen of their mother’s home near Redruth.

The Murder of Shane Lynch

Daniel Lynch, 39, killed his twin brother Shane Lynch, also 39, overnight between Monday 11th November and Tuesday 12th November 2024. The attack took place at the family home in Bosmeor Park, Illogan Highway.

Judge Simon Carr described the killing as “sustained and brutal” and “involving at least one weapon.”

A trial at Truro Crown Court heard that Shane died after suffering repeated blows to the head, most likely from a hammer. Daniel was sentenced today, Tuesday 26th August 2025, to life in prison with a minimum of 20 years.

Events Leading Up to the Killing

The court was told that Daniel and Shane had an ‘up and down relationship’. In the days before the murder, Daniel had been upset over a stolen tablet, although the issue was said to have been resolved.

On 11th November, Daniel spent much of the day drinking and trying to obtain drugs, behaviour that worried his partner. The pair argued in the evening, and Daniel accused both his partner and Shane of wrongdoing.

Daniel later left the house, missed his bus home, and returned, continuing to drink. CCTV captured a man in clothes matching Daniel’s leaving the house with a rucksack and returning without it. Prosecutors said this was when Shane’s phone and other evidence were disposed of.

By 1.30am it was likely Shane had been killed. His phone stopped connecting to the nearby mast shortly after 1.46am, showing it had been taken from the house before losing signal completely.

Discovery of the Body

At around 3.45am, Daniel and Shane’s half-brother came downstairs to reconnect the Wi-Fi. He found Daniel on the sofa, who told him Shane was asleep in the kitchen. Instead, Shane was discovered unresponsive on the floor, surrounded by blood.

Paramedics were called by the brothers’ mother but Shane was pronounced dead shortly afterwards. Police were alerted when medical staff noted inconsistencies between the accounts given and Shane’s injuries.

Evidence Against Daniel

Evidence showed Daniel had changed his clothing from earlier in the day. A hoodie with Shane’s blood on it was hidden in the kitchen, while a jacket and polo shirt had been washed. His jeans have never been found.

Daniel’s phone contained pictures of Shane lying unresponsive in the kitchen before paramedics arrived. Forensic tests confirmed Shane had died from severe head and facial injuries.

Blood in the kitchen sink suggested attempts had been made to clean either a weapon or a person. A broken knife blade was recovered under Shane’s body, carrying his blood. Bloodstained clothing hidden in the kitchen was later found to contain DNA from both brothers.

Despite the evidence, Daniel denied changing his clothing and denied the murder, instead claiming that a third party must have killed Shane while he slept on the sofa. This account was dismissed by the jury.

Sentencing and Reaction

Sentencing Daniel, Judge Carr said: “Armed with a weapon or weapons you launched a sustained, frenzied and brutal attack which included multiple blows to the head with force.”

He added that many of the blows were struck while Shane was already on the ground, and that Daniel then attempted to clear the scene and destroy evidence.

The court heard about the “terrible sense of loss” felt by those close to Shane, including his 16-year-old daughter with whom he had a close bond.

Detective Inspector Rob Smith from the Devon & Cornwall Police Major Crime Investigation Team said:
“There are only two men who truly know what happened in the property that night and one of them is sadly no longer with us.

“A huge amount of work has gone into this investigation to establish the circumstances that lead to Shane Lynch’s death.

“What is not in doubt is that Shane Lynch was brutally murdered by his own brother Daniel within their mother’s home. The exact reasons Daniel launched such a violent and brutal attack on his brother, we will likely never know.

“Daniel Lynch continued to deny he was responsible for the murder despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

“We welcome the verdict and sentence passed by the court. We hope all those involved in this case are able to move on with their lives.”