Pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd reveals all 

Round & About

Dr Richard Shepherd tells us about his upcoming UK tour. He also stars in Body In the Water on TRUE CRIME 

We’re celebrating education in all its forms this month… And with this in mind, have you ever wondered what might lead a bright lad to end up working… with dead people? 

Growing up in Hertfordshire, Richard Shepherd’s interest in pathology was sparked at 13 by a forensic textbook. “When I was about 13 a school friend of mine [at Watford Boys Grammar School] bought a forensic textbook by the celebrated pathologist Keith Simpson into school, and it suddenly opened my eyes to this whole intriguing world of murders. I decided that that was what I wanted to do. I was not a stranger to death as my mum had died of heart disease when I was nine, so it was my dad who encouraged my interest in medicine. I only ever wanted to be a pathologist, but surprisingly, really enjoyed obstetrics and delivering babies but settled into a life of crime. I do appreciate how lucky I have been to have found a career that I enjoyed so much.” 

You don’t often find a forensic pathologist on the theatre circuit, but then, Dr Richard Shepherd isn’t your average doctor. After decades spent uncovering the truth behind some of the UK’s most complex deaths, he’s swapped the mortuary for the spotlight, touring the country with his new live show, Time of Death – More Unnatural Causes. 

For fans of true crime, or anyone curious about the real science behind it, this is a show not to miss. Following the success of his Unnatural Causes 2022/23 tour, Dr Shepherd returns this autumn with a deeper dive into one of forensic medicine’s most intriguing puzzles: time. 

“When I retired, I took up mending clocks,” he says. “I’d spent my career taking things apart without putting them back together. Fixing clocks helped me think about how important time is in forensics – when a crime occurred, how long someone survived, how old an injury is. These details are vital.” 

The show brings together gripping real-life cases with forensic insight and unexpected moments of reflection. Yes, there’s blood and science, but there’s also humanity. “People often assume what I do is destructive, even cold,” he says. “But my job has always been about finding the truth – and helping families understand it. Truth can be painful, but it’s far kinder than uncertainty.” 

Audiences have responded to that honesty. Although emotions sometimes run high – he recalls one person needing to leave midway – Dr Shepherd’s compassion always shines. “They spoke to me after the show,” he says. “It’s emotional, but I try to handle it with care.” 

Beyond the stage, Dr Shepherd is no stranger to the public eye. He stars in Channel 5’s Cause of Death and has worked on high-profile investigations, including the 7/7 bombings and the Bali attacks. And while the public’s appetite for true crime grows, he sees it as nothing new. “People have always been fascinated by crime, from the Penny Dreadfuls of the 18th century to today’s TV dramas. It’s the details that captivate us.” 

His family life is closely intertwined with his profession – his wife Linda is also a forensic doctor, and their daughter has followed in their footsteps. When not on stage or solving crimes, Dr Shepherd enjoys flying light aircraft and walking the couple’s two Jack Russells. 

You  toured with Unnatural Causes in 2022/3 and now you are going out on your second theatre tour this autumn, what is it that you like about touring? 

I have always enjoyed talking to people and explaining what I do and why. I  have spent a lot of time giving lectures to medical students, policemen, paramedics and the public and I’ve never found it difficult to speak to large groups so going on tour is just another way of trying to give people a little bit of an understanding about what we really do as so much of that work goes on in the background.   Many people think that what I do is just destructive, and some people may think it is an awful thing to do, but my focus is always on finding the truth and then trying to make sure that the relatives understand. The truth may be difficult hear – but that is ultimately far less distressing that not knowing or having unanswered questions about the death of someone you are close to. 

Body In The Water begins on TRUE CRIME on ITVX on 16th September. Dr Richard Shepherd’s new tour will visit theatres around the UK from 29th September. This includes The Theatre Royal, Winchester on 3^rd October, Wycombe Swan on 15^th October, Wyvern Theatre in Swindon & many more.