Four individuals have been found not guilty of assisting an offender related to the murder of Elle Edwards, a beautician who was shot dead on Christmas Eve 2022.

Elle Edwards, 26, was shot outside the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey shortly before midnight on December 24, 2022. Connor Chapman was convicted of her murder in July 2022 and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 48 years.

The defendants, David Chambers, Danielle Dowdall, Roxanne Matthews, and Paul Owen, faced trial at Liverpool Crown Court accused of aiding Chapman following the shooting.

They were charged with harboring Chapman, disposing of clothing connected to the crime, burning a stolen Mercedes used in the attack, and assisting his escape to Wales as law enforcement closed in.

After six hours and 20 minutes of deliberation, a jury unanimously acquitted all four defendants. During the verdict announcement, Dowdall and Matthews were emotional and expressed gratitude towards the jury. Justice Morris commended the jury for their diligent service.

Evidence presented showed that Chambers, Chapman's uncle, allegedly discarded the clothing worn by Chapman during the shooting at Dowdall's home on Christmas Day 2022. CCTV footage indicated Chambers visited Chapman's address before heading to Dowdall's residence.

Prosecutor Katy Appleton explained that Chambers claimed he went to Chapman's home to retrieve chairs for Christmas dinner, not to assist in any criminal activity. Dowdall, meanwhile, testified she received property from Chapman shortly before the shooting and denied any involvement in a related plot revealed in messages found by police.

On December 30, Dowdall performed a factory reset on her phone after communicating with Chapman hours prior. This was after receiving items from Chapman that he had left with her after being kicked out by his girlfriend.

Owen was accused of lending Chapman his Mercedes to travel with accomplice Thomas Waring shortly before they incinerated a stolen car. Owen claimed he unknowingly allowed Chapman to use his vehicle while he planned to celebrate New Year's Eve at the pub.

Additionally, Matthews was alleged to have provided Chapman refuge in her attic after he went into hiding, fearing police capture. Chapman traveled to Wales on January 9, 2023, staying at a spa booked by Matthews, and later rented a car for further travels.

Chapman was arrested on January 10, alongside his partner. He was charged with the murder of Elle Edwards on January 13, after which messages from Dowdall indicated her awareness of his criminal activities.

On the same day, Dowdall delivered Chapman's clothing to Chambers’ partner, claiming they were his belongings. Matthews eventually reported the rental car as stolen but maintained she was unaware of Chapman’s criminal involvement.

Chambers was acquitted of two counts of assisting an offender, while Dowdall was cleared of one charge. Matthews was found not guilty of three counts, and Owen was acquitted of one charge. Thomas Waring, an accomplice, was previously convicted of related offenses and sentenced to nine years in July 2023.