Beneath the Stairs: The Disappearance of Tina Satchwell and the Discovery that Shocked the Nation

by Ralph Riegel, Paul Byrne

IN 2017, TINA SATCHWELL VANISHED FROM HER COUNTY CORK HOME. HER HUSBAND RICHARD CLAIMED THAT SHE HAD TAKEN THEIR SAVINGS AND LEFT OF HER OWN ACCORD.

But as questions mounted, suspicion grew. Why did her husband wait four days before reporting her missing? And would Tina have left behind her purse, her phone and, most importantly, her beloved pets?

Here, with chilling detail and exclusive insights, journalists Ralph Riegel and Paul Byrne peel back the layers of a case that has gripped Ireland for over eight years.

From how Tina and Richard met just days after she moved to the UK as a vulnerable seventeen-year-old, to the search of the house that would lead to Richard Satchwell's downfall, Beneath the Stairs traces the cold-blooded deception of a man, bent on control, who lied to hide the truth while living above his wife's hidden grave.

Amid the darkness, a picture emerges of a kind and open-hearted woman, cherished by a family who never gave up hope that, one day, they would get justice for their beloved Tina.

Genres: Audiobook, Crime

Audible Audio

Published October 30, 2025

About the author

Ralph Riegel lives in Cork. He has worked as a journalist for several newspapers including The Cork Examiner, The Evening Echo, The Evening Herald and The Sunday Independent and is the southern correspondent for The Irish Independent. He is also a regular contributor to RTE, BBC and TV3 and to British newspapers including the (London) Independent and The Daily Telegraph.

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this bok for an upcoming episode of my podcast, 'IPV and Me: My Journey with Domestic Abuse'. While the story itself is fascinating and truly heartbreaking, the book is a little all over the place and so very repetitive. Every single time the suspect mentions something in an interview with the media, it is repeated throughout the book every single time he ever mentioned that same thing in other interviews. And then again when the trial occurs. It was a little excessive and unecessary. A simple telling of the story would have been far better than repeating the exact same things over and over again. RIP Tina, you sounded like a great lady.

[Shane · Rating 3 out of 5]

A harrowing tragic story however I found the first half of the book enjoyable to read, I felt the entire second half laborious to read and basically was just a day by day account of the trial and of he said she said. As I had followed the case and listened to podcasts, I felt the book didn't offer much I didn't already know.

[D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a tragic story, but was well written. I never read true crime, but followed this story on the Indo Daily podcast and had to read it.

Thoughtful, respectful, balanced, and thoroughly researched.

From one animal lover to another, RIP Tina.

[Laura White · Rating 3 out of 5]

Respectful to the woman's memory but extremely repetitive.