Roy William Whiting was born on January 26, 1959, in Horsham, West Sussex, England. He grew up in Crawley, where he spent most of his early life. Roy was one of six children born to George and Pamela Whiting. Unfortunately, three of his siblings died in infancy. This left him with two other siblings during his upbringing in Langley Green, Crawley.

In June 1986, Roy married Linda Booker. Their marriage did not last long, as they separated before the birth of their son, who was born in 1987. The couple eventually divorced in 1990. Around the same time, Roy also had a daughter with another unnamed woman.

During his 20s and 30s, Roy was interested in banger racing, a form of auto racing. He participated in the sport for several years but eventually stopped due to a lack of success. 

On July 1, 2000, Sarah Payne, an eight-year-old girl, went missing in West Sussex, England. A massive search began immediately. Sarah had been playing with her siblings near their grandfather's home when she disappeared. During the investigation, Sussex Police questioned several suspects, including Roy Whiting, who lived nearby.

Police first visited Whiting's flat on July 2, 2000, after a tip-off about a suspicious van seen near the area where Sarah went missing. Whiting was questioned at the time but later released due to a lack of evidence. After days of searching, Sarah's body was found in a field near Pulborough on July 17, 2000.

As the investigation continued, forensic tests were conducted on Whiting's van. The results linked him to the crime. On February 6, 2001, he was charged with murder and abduction. He pleaded not guilty. Whiting's trial started on November 14, 2001, at Lewes Crown Court. Evidence included hair fibers found in his van that matched Sarah’s, as well as witness testimonies.

On December 12, 2001, after a four-week trial, the jury found Whiting guilty of both charges. He was sentenced to life imprisonment. The judge emphasized that it was appropriate for the sentence to reflect the severity of the crime.

In 2002, the Home Secretary imposed a minimum term of 50 years, making it unlikely for Whiting to be released before 2051. His minimum term was later reduced to 40 years following an appeal. The high-profile case led to public outcry for stricter laws regarding sex offenders and their monitoring.

Whiting faced several attacks while in prison, sustaining injuries from other inmates. His case remains well-known in the UK, not just for the crime but also for the subsequent changes in laws regarding child protection and sex offenders.