Liverpool Gangster Sam Walker Forced to Deny Outrageous Claim Linking Him to James Bulger Killer

More than three decades after the horrific murder of toddler James Bulger, the case continues to cast a shadow over Britain’s collective memory. The names of Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, the two boys who abducted and killed the two-year-old in Bootle, Merseyside, in 1993, remain almost as familiar as that of their victim. Both were granted lifetime anonymity upon their release from custody, a legal shield designed to give them the chance to rebuild their lives under new identities.

That anonymity, however, has done little to quash relentless speculation about their current whereabouts. Over the years, rumours have repeatedly surfaced, spreading through whispers, tabloids, and more recently, social media. Claims of sightings, alleged “true identities,” and conspiracy-style theories have repeatedly surfaced. Most fade quickly, dismissed as baseless. Yet the latest theory has spiralled so far that it prompted an extraordinary outburst from one of Liverpool’s most notorious underworld figures.

The Outlandish Claim

This new theory suggests that Robert Thompson, one of Bulger’s killers, is in fact living under the identity of Sam Walker — a Liverpool gangster long known to police and social media followers alike. The claim is as astonishing as it is implausible. Walker, who has openly documented his brushes with the law, his stints behind bars, and his flamboyant lifestyle of luxury cars and designer clothes, has built an almost cult-like following online.

There is no credible evidence linking him in any way to the Bulger case. He was not connected to the crime, has never been associated with it by authorities, and was not even of the same age as the killers. Yet on platforms such as TikTok and Twitter, the rumour has gathered enough momentum to compel Walker himself to respond — and his reaction was explosive.

Walker’s TikTok Rant

In a furious video uploaded to TikTok, Walker launched a tirade against what he called “sick trolls” spreading lies about him. Speaking directly to the camera, he raged at the accusations, branding them “vile” and “disgusting.” He insisted he had nothing to do with the murder of James Bulger and condemned those using the tragedy to smear his name.

“I’ve done plenty in my life, and I’ll own that,” he declared, referring to his history of criminal activity. “But don’t you dare put that evil on me. Don’t you dare link me to that poor boy’s murder. That is beyond sick.”

The video, laced with expletives and filmed in Walker’s characteristically raw style, has since been shared widely. Supporters and critics alike commented in their thousands, some mocking him, others expressing sympathy at what they saw as a dangerous and damaging rumour.

Who Is Sam Walker?

Walker, now in his early 40s, has long been a colourful figure in Liverpool’s underworld. He has racked up more than 60 convictions, ranging from theft and drug offences to prison escapes and police chases. In recent years, however, he has reinvented himself as something of a social media personality.

On TikTok, he posts videos flaunting his fleet of expensive cars, designer outfits, and holidays abroad. He also leans into his reputation as a “gangster,” frequently boasting about his criminal past. For some followers, this makes him an anti-establishment folk hero; for others, he is simply a braggart revelling in notoriety.

That notoriety, however, also makes him an easy target. Trolls have repeatedly attacked him online, and the Bulger rumour appears to be the most damaging yet.

Why the Rumour Matters

For the Bulger family and the wider public, the tragic 1993 case has never faded from memory. The murder — in which two 10-year-olds abducted James from a shopping centre and led him to his death on a railway track — shocked the nation and the world. The sheer brutality of the crime, committed by children, sparked debates on justice, rehabilitation, and whether killers as young as Venables and Thompson could ever truly be reintegrated into society.

The lifetime ban on identifying the pair was meant to stop precisely this kind of speculation. Yet in the digital age, anonymity orders collide with the viral speed of online gossip. Every few years, conspiracy theories gain traction, often fueled by social media accounts claiming to “expose” the killers’ supposed new lives. These posts rarely withstand scrutiny but can spread to millions within hours.

Walker’s Fury

For Walker, the accusation is not only defamatory but also potentially dangerous. “I walk down the street every day,” he said in his video. “I’ve got a family, I’ve got people who care about me. And you’re putting my life at risk with this filth.”

He demanded that those circulating the claims retract them immediately and warned he would take legal action if necessary. His anger was palpable, even for a man known for his hot-headed persona.

The Bigger Picture

This latest episode underscores the toxic mix of crime folklore, internet trolling, and unresolved national trauma. The Bulger case continues to haunt Britain, and any suggestion — however wild — that one of the killers might be hiding in plain sight is enough to ignite fascination and fury.

For now, Walker’s furious denial may help extinguish the specific rumour linking him to Robert Thompson. But the broader problem remains: as long as the killers’ identities are protected and the public appetite for scandal remains unsated, new rumours are bound to emerge.

And for figures like Sam Walker — who thrive on notoriety yet live in its crosshairs — the line between fame and infamy grows ever more perilous.