The prophet and the mysterious death of Charmain Speirs

The Prophet and the Mysterious Death of Charmain Speirs

A Life Shaped by Struggles and Faith

Charmain Speirs, who was 40 when she encountered the prophet Eric Adusah, had long been part of a rapidly expanding Christian movement—Pentecostalism. While her faith brought her a sense of fulfillment, she still felt unfulfilled in her personal life. “She’d had enough of regular men,” recalled Anne-Marie, her companion. “She sought a man of God, someone who could offer her what she believed was promised.” This led her to meet Adusah, a renowned preacher and head pastor of the Global Light Revival Church, who was also regarded as a prophet by his followers.

The Relationship and a Rapid Ascent

Adusah, originally from Ghana, was frequently featured on Christian television. His role extended beyond preaching; within his congregation, he was seen as a vessel for divine revelations. Charmain’s journey began in Arbroath, a modest coastal town in Scotland, where she was born in the 1970s. Her father, Peter, worked as a plumber, while her mother, Linda, was a cleaner. Colleagues describe her as a charismatic figure who effortlessly connected with others.

At 19, she relocated to Glasgow, taking on various jobs in retail, hospitality, and nightlife. Linsey, a close friend, noted that Charmain experienced multiple relationships, some intense and short-lived, before briefly seeking refuge in a women’s shelter. Returning to her family home, she endured personal hardships, including the loss of a brother in a car accident and the addiction of her younger sibling to heroin. By her early 30s, she moved to Swansea to pursue a new chapter and study photojournalism. In 2007, she gave birth to her son, Isaac, and faced postnatal depression, which she overcame through her growing spiritual devotion.

The Marriage and the Hidden Tensions

Adusah, based in London, led another Pentecostal church. Their connection formed through a Christian dating platform, culminating in a swift engagement. Charmain’s mother, Linda, was surprised when her daughter informed her of the marriage without prior mention of a boyfriend. As the relationship deepened, Charmain’s presence in her daily life diminished, with friends noting a shift from frequent interactions to rare visits.

After marrying in September 2014, Charmain became the first lady of Adusah’s church. Bridesmaid Mehrunissa Thomas remarked:

“She went from being an average person to a celebrity overnight.”

Despite this, Anne-Marie, another friend, shared a different perspective:

“She told me, ‘He doesn’t show me any love. There’s no love, no passion.'”

Charmain, now expecting Adusah’s child, returned to Arbroath to visit her mother, a visit that marked the first time Linda had seen her since the wedding. During this reunion, Charmain confided in her mother about marital difficulties and her plan to move back home.

The Fatal Night and Unanswered Questions

Just six months after their marriage, Charmain was found dead in a hotel bathtub in Ghana. Adusah was detained for murder but later released due to insufficient evidence, denying any role in her death. A BBC Disclosure investigation, nearly a decade later, revealed inconsistencies in his narrative about the events of that night.

According to police statements, Adusah was the last person seen with Charmain alive. He described spending lunch with her, then visiting a pool, and returning to their hotel room for the evening. He claimed they shared a pleasant time together before he left after midnight for Accra, citing a 6am meeting. However, a hotel employee, Edward (not his real name), stated that two tall men accompanied Adusah to room 112, where Charmain was staying, late at night. This detail, he said, was omitted from the pastor’s account. The incident remains shrouded in mystery, with Adusah’s former partners alleging he poses a risk to women in his relationships.