Latest posts - Page 17 of 59

Murder at the Queens Hotel: Emmy Werner

Holocaust survivor Emmy Werner, 68, was murdered in her hotel room in Bayswater on 17 September 1972.

The widow was found dead in her bed by a chambermaid at Queens Hotel in Inverness Terrace at around 1pm.

She had been strangled and had suffered other serious injuries suggesting she had woken and disturbed her attacker.

The case remains unsolved: a 16 year-old boy was charged and put on trial at the Old Bailey but was acquitted in February 1973.

Before WWII Emmy, her husband Albert, a dentist, and their daughter Hedy lived a comfortable life in Brno, Czechoslovakia.

In April 1942 the family and other relatives were transported to Theresienstadt concentration camp near Prague. In October 1944 Albert was taken to Auschwitz and on to Kaufering concentration camp where he was killed in February 1945.

Emmy and her daughter, then aged 17, were liberated in May 1945 and came to London in September 1946 before settling in the Finchley area.

She moved to a residential care home in Finchley but regularly stayed at Queens Hotel while visiting her sister in central London.

On the evening before her death she went to the Vaudeville Theatre on the Strand with two friends to see Move Over Mrs Markham before returning to the hotel at 8.30pm.

Detectives believe she was attacked by a thief in her room in the early hours of the morning. Emmy was known to carry around cash in her handbag at it is thought someone came into the room to steal the money and attacked Emmy when she woke up.

Officers are hopeful people working at or visiting the hotel in the early ’70s may have useful information. At the time there were mostly young people of different nationalities both working and staying there, including some German tourists and Swedish staff.

The Queens Hotel in Inverness Terrace, Bayswater

In September 2017 the Metropolitan Police launched a fresh appeal for witnesses and offered a £20,000 reward for information leading to a prosecution.

Detective Inspector Susan Stansfield, of the Met’s Special Casework Investigation Team at the Homicide and Major Command, said: “Although many years have now passed since Emmy’s death it remains particularly difficult for her family that she survived the horrors of the Holocaust yet died in such brutal circumstances. Emmy was 68 years old and was physically and mentally vulnerable due to her past.

“The hotel served a mixture of guests and employed a number of staff who were spoken to by police at the time. However, with the passage of time, it is possible that the events of that night have since been discussed and there is information that could be really useful to our inquiry. Or maybe someone who was scared to speak to officers at the time might now feel able to come forward.

“Did you stay or work at the hotel or in the area of Inverness Terrace W2 in the early 1970s? Has anyone told you anything in confidence that you feel you should now disclose to police?

“We would also be interested in speaking to the friends – one from the hotel and an Italian woman – who Emmy went to the theatre with that night in case they have any useful information.

“We would ask anyone who can help to please contact us in confidence. Even if you think what you know is insignificant, we would ask that you come forward and let us assess what you tell us.”

Emmy’s granddaughter Carolyn Franks, 58, said: “My grandmother was a vulnerable woman and no one should have to die like she did, especially after the trauma she had already endured. The effect on her close family continues to be a source of great sadness to us and we feel whoever killed her should be held to account.”

You can provide information to police on 020 7230 4294 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

This case is included on the Historical Murder Map of London.

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Tottenham Riots: The unsolved murder of Keith Blakelock

PC Keith Blakelock was stabbed to death during the Broadwater Farm riots in Tottenham, north London.

The 40 year-old father-of-three, who was originally from Sunderland, was one of the first officers called to the estate on October 6, 1985.

He and his colleague PC Richard Coombes were attacked by a group armed with sticks, knives and machetes as they moved in to protect firefighters trying to put out a blaze at the Tangmere block of flats.

The officer suffered a total of 43 stab wounds before being pulled away by colleagues. A knife was left embedded in his neck and an attempt had been made to decapitate him. His police helmet has never been recovered.

Three men, Winston Silcott, Mark Braithwaite and Engin Raghip, were convicted of the murder of PC Blakelock in March 1987. The convictions were quashed in 1991 following allegations of police fabrication of evidence.

A second investigation between 1992 and 1994 under Commander Perry Nove did not result in any charges but identified several suspects (the ‘kickers’) who were willing to give evidence against the main attackers (the ‘stabbers’).

The third investigation began in 2000 and involved unsuccessful attempts to retrieve forensic evidence from the exhibits.

In 2010 detectives reinvestigating the case arrested 14 men on suspicion of involvement in the murder. All but one were released with no further action.

On 23 July 2013 police charged Nicholas Jacobs, 44 [13/10/68] of Hackney, with the murder of PC Keith Blakelock.

Jacobs went on trial at the Old Bailey on 3 March 2014. The prosecution case relied on testimony from three eyewitnesses that he was one of those using a knife during the attack on PC Blakelock.

The witnesses gave evidence using the pseudonyms John Brown, Rhodes Levin and Q. Brown and Levin, who had both served jail terms after being convicted of taking part in the riots, admitted they kicked PC Blakelock during the attack. In 1994 Brown received a £5,000 reward and Levin a £2,500 reward for their willingness to give evidence after the Crown Prosecution Service decided there was insufficient evidence to prosecute anyone.

Witness Q, who first came forward in 2009, claimed he was standing around 15ft away.

Other evidence against Jacobs included photographs of him taking part in the riots on a different part of the estate and his conviction for violent disorder in 1986. While in prison a rap lyric was found in his cell which appeared to indicate he was involved in the murder.

It read: ‘As long as I live I will remember it was 1985 the 6th October… we gone at Broadwater I have on an Clarks, him have on an booger him have on his jacket I have on an jumper him have his bike helmet I have me balaclava him have hold of 007 (knife) and me have de chopper we have intention to kill an police officer PC Blakelock de unlucky f**ker him dis an help de fireman… who did an out fire de fireman see we av come and decide to scatter but PC Blakelock him never smell the danger but when we fly down upon him he start scream and holla everybody gather round and av pure laughter he try to head out but we trip him over he start beg for mercy but it didn’t matter him try to play super man… and him ger capture him have too face the consequences we back out we chopper we start chop him on his hand we chop him on him finger we chop him on him leg we chop him on his shoulder him head him chest him neck we chop him all over when we done kill him off lord er feel much better… me just wipe off me knife and go check on daughter we sit down and talk and she cook me dinner we smoke some sensi and we drink some liquor and then we make sweet love until a little later she suck me buddy… anyway five days later me ger capture de police and they kick off my door like me an mass murderer and they search up me flat like me a drugs smuggler they charge me with affray they have to drop the murder because I keep me mouth shut never turn no informer…’

The court also heard how Jacobs was arrested on suspicion of burglary on 3 May 2000 and told the police officer: ‘F*** off, I was one of them who killed Keith Blakelock.’

Jacobs did not give evidence in his defence. His barrister Courtenay Griffiths QC argued the witnesses were unreliable, proven liars who were motivated by reward money.

On 9 April 2014 the jury acquitted Jacobs of murder and manslaughter.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, said: “PC Keith Blakelock joined the Met Police to serve and protect the community of London. That desire ended in his murder, following an attack that was without mercy, his murder was barbaric.

“That terrible night in October 1985 Keith, and his colleagues of Serial 502, were sent to the Broadwater Farm Estate to protect fire crews battling to control a blaze that was threatening to take hold of a block of flats. Keith was only present that night to do what he joined to do – protect and serve the community of Tottenham.

“We have worked closely with the Crown Prosecution Service over many years to be in a position to put our evidence before a court. The investigation team pursued all the material, evidence and witnesses they could. No matter how difficult an investigation it has been to carry out – given the many years that have passed, the lack of forensic evidence and CCTV plus the main witnesses to Keith murder’s being those taking part in the riot – it was important we exhausted every possible lead we could.

“Sadly, Keith’s widow, family and friends still have not seen anyone brought to justice for his murder. The dignity, extraordinary patience and courage they have shown in their nearly thirty year quest for justice is humbling.

“We will not give up on bringing Keith’s killers to justice. There are people who know exactly who took part in the attack on Keith and people who took part themselves. It is not too late for you to come forward. Almost thirty years on peoples’ lives are very different, their allegiances broken or shifted. Help us now.

“The 6 October 1985 was an extremely sad day in the history of policing, and no police officer serving at that time will ever forget it. Today everyone in the police family should reflect on the barbaric and tragic events Keith, and Serial 502, experienced that night.”

We are obviously extremely sad and disappointed at the verdict. We viewed this trial as an opportunity to see some form of justice served for Keith. There were many people involved in a murder on that night of 6 October 1985 and it is regretful that no one has yet to be found guilty despite the number of people with knowledge of the events of that night. We appreciate the work and effort over the years since events on Broadwater Farm that night in trying to bring people to justice. We hope that more people are able to come forward so that some of those guilty can be brought to justice in the future.
Statement on behalf of PC Blakelock’s widow Elizabeth and their three sons

Note: This case is included in our historical murder map.

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The Missing Schoolboy: Kevin Hicks

Kevin Hicks, 16, went missing in 1986 while walking home from the local shop in Addiscombe, Croydon.

He has never been seen since and in 2016 the Metropolitan Police said they believed he had been murdered.

Kevin was described as a happy teenager with no problems at school. He had been applying for jobs in the weeks before his disappearance.

On 2 March 1986, he spent a normal day with his family at their home in Sissinghurst Road, Addiscombe.

At around 8.30pm he told his mum he needed to buy some eggs for his O-level home economics exam the next day.

He left with £1 and headed off to Sperrings community shop, a couple of minutes walk away in Lower Addiscombe Road.

Kevin was last seen by someone who knew him at 10pm in Shirley Road, walking in the general direction of home.

He was never seen again and his parents Derek and Terry died without knowing what had happened to their son.

By 2016 his only surviving relative was his sister Alexandra Hicks, living in Sutton.

Christmas is always a particularly hard time of the year, especially now both my parents are gone. It would be the best Christmas present to have Kevin back or to know what has happened to him.
With Kevin and I being only a year and a day apart with our birthdays, the month of February is a constant reminder of not knowing where he is or what has happened to him.
On 2 March 2017 it will be 31 years since Kevin went missing and I appeal to anyone with any information, no matter how small, to come forward and assist police with their investigation. Someone somewhere knows something. It is time to let go of that secret.
Alexandra Hicks, speaking in 2016

That year the Metropolitan Police issued a new appeal to the public and offered a £20,000 reward for information leading to a conviction.

Detective Inspector John McQuade, from the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: “Kevin simply disappeared that night and was never seen nor heard of again.

“We can only imagine what the intervening years must have been like for his family, years of worry and distress at not knowing what happened. Sadly, both his parents died without ever discovering the truth.

“Many enquiries have been carried out over the years but Kevin’s body has never been found but there is no evidence he is still alive. We believe Kevin must have met someone that night, been assaulted and his body disposed of.

“A substantial reward is on offer for anyone with information leading to the discovery of Kevin’s body or the prosecution of the person or people responsible for his murder.

“I hope this will encourage anyone with information – no matter how small you think that piece of information might be – to come forward as soon as possible.

“We believe Kevin must have met someone in that hour-and-a-half and that person attacked him. Perhaps the suspect didn’t mean to kill him but it is clear Kevin’s body must have then been disposed of.

“On 25 October 1996, following media appeals, someone anonymously called the Croydon Advertiser and said she knew where Kevin’s body was. We would appeal for that person to come forward and contact us again; you may have really important information for us.

“I truly believe people in the local Croydon community hold the answers to what happened to Kevin.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8721 4005 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Palestinian Cartoonist shot dead in London: Naji Al-Ali

Palestinian cartoonist Naji Al-Ali was shot dead in Knightsbridge on 27 July 1987.

The 49 year-old was attacked as he walked to his office in Ives Street at around 5.10pm.

Witnesses said they saw two men approach the 49 year-old outside the office of the Kuwaiti newspaper al-Qabas at around 5pm.

Mr al-Ali was shot once in the back of the neck and never regained consciousness. He died in hospital five weeks later on 29 August.

Nobody has ever been charged with the murder but it is has been suggested he was assassinated by double agents working for the Palestinian Liberation Organisation and the Israeli Mossad.

Mr Al-Ali’s cartoons were sometimes perceived as critical of the regime in Palestine and he had received a number of death threats in the years leading up to his murder.

On the 30th anniversary of his death the Metropolitan Police launched a new appeal for information as part of a reinvestigation of the case and released further details about Mr Al-Ali’s last movements.

Witnesses reported seeing him being followed by the suspected gunman as he made his way from his car on Ixworth Place into Draycott Avenue and then Ives Street.

The suspect is described as being of Middle-Eastern appearance and aged about 25, with collar-length thick black hair that was wavy at the back. He was wearing a stonewashed denim jacket and dark trousers.

After the attack, the suspect was seen to run out of Ives Street back across Draycott Avenue and into Ixworth Place.

A witness reported seeing another man crossing Fulham Road into Lucan Place and getting into the driver’s seat of a silver-grey left-hand drive Mercedes shortly after the incident.

He was seen running with his left hand inside the right side of his jacket as if he was concealing something.

This man was described as being of Middle-Eastern appearance, aged in his 50s, about 5ft 9ins and of medium build but with heavy shoulders. He was said to have dark bushy hair with a lot of grey in it, a fattish face and a bigger than average nose. He was clean-shaven and of smart appearance, wearing a grey suit.

The Mercedes was seen driving off along Lucan Place and left into Ixworth Place, towards the junction with Sloane Avenue. It is believed that the registration number of the car contained the letters P and H in the first part and may have ended 11L.

The gunman was seen following Mr Al-Ali for about 40 seconds before he shot him. Despite the briefness of the attack, witnesses were able to give investigators a good description of the suspect. We believe that he may have arranged to meet the man seen driving the silver-grey Mercedes straight after the murder. We believe that this driver was seen hiding the weapon in his coat, intending to dispose of it.
Commander Dean Haydon, then head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command

The gun, a 7.62mm Tokarev pistol, was found in open space on the Hallfield Estate in Paddington almost two years after the murder, on 22 April 1989.

Specialists matched the marks left on bullets by the firing pin during test firing of the weapon to those left on the ejected cartridge case recovered from the scene of the murder.

Commander Haydon said: “We have previously reviewed this case and followed a number of lines of enquiry which have not resulted in us identifying these two men. However, a lot can change in 30 years – allegiances shift and people who were not willing to speak at the time of the murder may now be prepared to come forward with crucial information.

“We remain open-minded about the motive for Mr Al-Ali’s murder and we believe there are people somewhere who have information that could help us bring those responsible for his murder to justice.”

My father was a very dedicated family man who wanted to spend as much time with his kids as possible. On top of that he was also very dedicated to his passion of his artwork and the political implications of that, and his people. Lots of questions are unanswered and we would like to have that closure, so we are encouraged by the fact that the investigation is being reopened and we have some path towards resolution, so we know what happened. If anybody has any information they should come forth and reach out through the correct channels. Don’t make an assumption as to whether or not you think information is important. Let the professionals be the best judge of how important that information is. It is 30 years ago, it is a long time ago, memories may be cloudy. That said, anything you have may be that missing piece that’s required to get to the next step and for that, if you can come forward, we are grateful.
Mr Al-Ali’s son, Osama Al-Ali, speaking in 2017

Anyone with information is urged to call the investigation team on 020 3276 9014, or 0044 203 276 9014 if calling from outside the UK.

Alternatively, to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Note: This case is featured on the London historical murder map

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The unsolved murder of Clara Kirton

Grandmother Clara Kirton, 86, was found dead at her home in Southwark on Sunday 17 November 1985.

The murder remains unsolved but detectives believe she was attacked when she disturbed an intruder looking for cash.

Her body was discovered in the lounge when her 42 year-old son Brian arrived at the ground floor flat at Victoria Buildings in Great Suffolk Street at 8am.

She had suffered a number of wounds to her face and massive slash injuries to her throat and a post-mortem examination concluded she died from inhalation of blood and crush injuries to her face and neck.

The broken remnants of a beer bottle – believed to be the murder weapon – were found strewn around the room.

The attack is thought to have taken place between 4pm and 6pm the previous afternoon. There was no sign of forced entry but Clara was in the habit of leaving her flat door open.

Drawers in the lounge and bedroom had been opened and searched but the only thing stolen – despite the fact she had £700 elsewhere in her flat – was Clara’s red purse containing a small amount of cash.

Fifteen police officers were assigned to investigate Clara’s murder and seven men were arrested but despite extensive enquiries nobody was ever charged.

Police unsuccessfully tried to trace the bottle of John Courage Strong Bitter which had been brought by the killer into Clara’s house.

Clara, who was born in 1899, was a widower with four children and 26 grandchildren. She was frail, in the early stages of dementia and suffered diabetes. She was virtually housebound, leaving her flat only twice a week to visit a local community centre.

She relied heavily upon her son Brian who visited every day plus help from a meal delivery service and a district nurse.

Her son Brian and daughter Joyce were the last to see her alive around 10am on Saturday 16 November when they took her a chicken casserole for lunch.

Detective Inspector Susan Stansfield, from the Met’s Special Casework Investigation Team, said: “Detectives at the time carried out a lengthy and thorough investigation into Clara’s death but despite speaking to hundreds of people and carrying out many other enquiries, no one was brought before the courts.

“Clara’s son had the horrific shock of discovering not only his mother’s body inside her flat but also that she had clearly been the victim of a ferocious attack. That memory has, of course, been impossible to erase and the only small amount of comfort he and the rest of Clara’s family might gain is from the conviction of the person who did this.

“It was a long time ago but such an awful incident would stick in your mind if you were local to the area at the time. If you have any information, no matter how small, please come forward. Maybe you were worried about telling police at the time but now, more than 30 years on, you might feel able to approach us. We hope the reward on offer will also encourage people to contact us.”

DI Stansfield added: “We don’t know for sure what the motive was but the evidence suggests someone made their way inside Clara’s insecure flat and she disturbed them as they searched for cash to steal.

“The extreme violence used against her gave the original investigation team cause to believe the killer may have been under the influence of drink or drugs.

“Whatever the motive, Clara’s family are desperate for answers and we would ask anyone who can help to come forward.”

On 13 April 2017 the Metropolitan Police issued a new appeal and offered a £20,000 reward for information leading to a prosecution.

My mum was a wonderful lady, always friendly and happy to talk to people despite her poor health. She certainly did nothing to deserve what happened to her. Finding her like that was just awful. I still can’t believe someone could do that to my gentle loving mum. Those feelings are only made worse by the fact that no one has been caught for her murder. I would ask that anyone who has information please please come forward and tell the police what they know.
Clara’s son Brian, speaking in 2017

Officers can be contacted on 020 7230 4294, via 101 or @MetCC or you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

View this case on the London historical murder map.

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