UK UK - Ann Heron, 44, found at home with throat cut, Darlington, 3 August 1990

[dotr]

Gazette Live
Aug 7 2020
Ann Heron cold case: Detectives hope new forensic technology will solve murder 30 years on
''Police in Durham have reopened a cold case murder of 30 years, in the hope that new forensic techniques will help solve the crime.

Ann Heron's body was found in a pool of blood in her living room in Darlington on 3 August 1990, after sunbathing at the nearby Aeolian House.''
''The 44-year-old's husband, Peter, was charged with her murder in 2005, but was eventually cleared, with no more leads for police to pursue.''

''Detective Inspector Andy Reynolds, from Durham's Major Crime Team, said: "We are actively pursuing forensic inquiries using advances in technology in the hope of identifying evidence to prove who is responsible.''

"It comes after an appeal by Ms Heron's son, Ralph Cockburn, to reopen the case on the 30th anniversary of her death.

Mr Cockburn, a 56-year-old former detective, said: "After all this time, we still do not know who did this to mum, and why they did it''.

 

[dotr]

Michael Benson
BBC.com
'New suspect' in 30-year-old murder case
3 August 2020
''A violent criminal on the run from prison may have been responsible for a murder that has remained unsolved for 30 years, an investigator claims.

Ann Heron had her throat cut at her home near Darlington on 3 August 1990.''

Investigator Jen Jarvie has identified Michael Benson, who died in 2011, as a "viable suspect".

''Mrs Heron, 44, had been sunbathing in her garden during the afternoon with the last sighting of her being at 15:30 BST.

Her body was found in her living room by her husband at about 18:00. Police said there were no signs of a struggle.''

Ms Jarvie, who has been looking into the case on Mr Heron's behalf, said a number of factors point towards Benson's involvement.

"He was an escaped prisoner with a propensity for violence including assault with a shotgun, robbery with a carving knife, and burglary.''

''The case featured on the BBC programme Crimewatch in October 1990 with viewers being told a blue car had been seen outside the house at about 16:45.

Ms Jarvie said Benson owned a blue car''.

 

[RobinCAL]

Thank you for creating this @dotr . I was just about to. I hope this will progress into something.

 

[Fede]

Here is a little bit about the husband: Did this violent criminal on the run from the law murder Ann Heron 30 years ago?

 

[dotr]

Here is a little bit about the husband: Did this violent criminal on the run from the law murder Ann Heron 30 years ago?

From link, thanks.
''Nick Ross and Sue Cook present. Cases include the murder of Ann Heron in Darlington, County Durham, an armed robbery in Tankerton, Kent and the attempted murder of Jo Chandler as she walked through North Yorkshire.''

VIDEO: Ann Heron murder investigation appeal begins at 1m7s

 

[Jen Jarvie]

Thank you for sharing these, really appreciate it. This is such an important case that after 30 years needs resolving.

 

[Legally Bland]

Different suspect from 1997:

"Rapist is questioned on murder." Times, 10 Apr. 1997, p. 8. The Times Digital Archive, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/IF0501203496/TTDA?u=leedscl&sid=TTDA&xid=92bd6c50. Accessed 8 Aug. 2020.

 

[Legally Bland]

^^^ Looks like Hann was ruled out.

10th November 2005

[...]

The following summer, police visited an unnamed sex offender in connection with the killing, but the interview came to nothing.

Eight months later, convicted rapist Philip Hann was moved from Wakefield Prison to Darlington to answer questions relating to the case, but was soon ruled out.

Four years later, detectives said they would question convicted killer Philip Smith about the murder but, like all the other leads before, this line of inquiry was soon dropped.

Horror on a summer's day

 

[Jen Jarvie]

Hand was ruled out, yes.

 

[dotr]

Thank you for sharing these, really appreciate it. This is such an important case that after 30 years needs resolving.

Welcome to Ws Jen Jarvie!

 

[Jen Jarvie]

@dotr thank you. I'm very happy to join. I've put forward the suspect Benson to Durham some time ago but it has only just hit the press.

 

[dotr]

The Northern Echo
Did this violent criminal on the run from the law murder Ann Heron 30 years ago?
Crimewatch U.K - November 1990

VIDEO: Michael Benson appeal begins at 2m12s

''Benson had a long criminal history including burglary, robbery with a carving knife against three people, and in December 1972 had been sentenced to life imprisonment for causing Grievous Bodily Harm with a shotgun in Southampton.

The programme said he had escaped while on day release in May 1989, and that summer he had got married. However, he left his wife in May 1990 and disappeared – taking her dark blue metallic Ford Orion.''

“You may have seen him in it anywhere in the country since he gets jobs with security companies and is known to travel extensively,” said a detective, showing pictures of the dark complexioned wanted man and his blue car. “But if you have seen him recently please be careful. He’s potentially dangerous. You must ring us rather than approach him at all.”

Benson, 40, was described as having a Yorkshire accent, three tattoos on each arm, being 5ft 11ins tall, and using the alias Michael Johnstone. He was never re-captured, although it is known that he was on the electoral roll in Leeds in 2005 and that he died there in 2011.''

 

[Antonia]

Ann Heron murder: Durham Police accused of failing investigation

"Solicitor Alistair Smith called for a review by the Independent Office of Police Conduct into the force's handling of the case and for another force to re-investigate.

'Durham Constabulary's fixation with Peter Heron being Ann Heron's murderer has been to the detriment of a full and proper investigation,' he said."

 

[dotr]

April 5 2021 lengthy article.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/14553821/ann-heron-letter-murder-escaped-prisoner/
''OLD and frail, 86-year-old Peter Heron has just one wish left in life – to finally end the suspicion that he is a killer.

For the past 30 years the story that he murdered his second wife has hung over him like a permanent black cloud.''



Someone claiming to be 'The Killer' sent sick, taunting letters to police, Ann’s family and a local paperCredit: NNP
''But today The Sun can reveal exclusive chilling evidence about the man who could be the real killer of 44-year-old Ann Heron — whose throat was cut as she sunbathed in her garden on the hottest day of 1990.

Our investigations have linked the unsolved murder to escaped con Michael Benson, who at the time was on the run after serving nearly 20 years for attempted murder.''


Criminologist Jen Jarvie is convinced Peter is innocentCredit: Richard Rayner

 

[DuMaurier]

Although cleared from the Ann Heron case, is this the same Philip Hann?

Man accused of attempted rape and kidnap makes court appearance

 

[dotr]

Although cleared from the Ann Heron case, is this the same Philip Hann?

Man accused of attempted rape and kidnap makes court appearance

Welcome to Ws DuMaurier!
Thanks for chiming in with that intriguing possibility...

 

[AcbMurders]

Widower of murdered Ann Heron speaks out in new documentary

 

[CSIAngus]

New to this thread, though I remember this case vividly at the time, and the various twists. My interest has been drawn to it by the Channel 5 documentary. Peter Heron comes across as a most unlikely frenzied knife killer. The murderer was more likely a sexual sadist with an intention to rob.

 

[dotr]

New to this thread, though I remember this case vividly at the time, and the various twists. My interest has been drawn to it by the Channel 5 documentary. Peter Heron comes across as a most unlikely frenzied knife killer. The murderer was more likely a sexual sadist with an intention to rob.

Hoping to find it on youtube!
Widower once accused of murdering Ann Heron speaks out in new documentary into tragic unsolved case - Teesside Live (gazettelive.co.uk)
''Now a new two-hour documentary, which is set to air on Channel 5 at 10pm on Tuesday, May 3, poses the question: did he kill his wife and get away with it or has he been the victim of a tragic miscarriage of justice for over 30 years?

Producers say: "For the first time in a documentary, Peter Heron himself gives his version of the events surrounding his wife’s death and how the crime has torn his family apart – his own children standing by him in a battle to prove his innocence – but his wife Ann’s family, are less certain and doubts remain about Peter’s account. ''

Escaped convict 'confessed' to murder of Ann Heron says crime expert ahead of new documentary - Teesside Live (gazettelive.co.uk)
''Jen says a man who was in Holme House prison with Benson years after the murder came forward after seeing convict's face associated with the crime during the 30-year anniversary appeal. He claims that Benson had told him he had killed a woman in Darlington who lived in an isolated home.

Speaking to DarlingtonLive, Jen said: "He described the house, said he had gone up the drive. He said he had gone to burgle the place and had come across 'this lady' and had murdered her. When you're in prison there is always this hierarchy of 'what are you in for' and the chaps thought at the time it was just a bit of bravado.''

"It was only when he saw on TV Michael Benson's face when they were talking about the murder of a lady in Darlington did he put two and two together. It's not a case many people know about."

The man, who did not want a reward or acknowledgement, has since wrote and signed a statement of truth about the confession, says Jen. It adds to her theory that Benson is an alternate suspect in the case and should be looked at by detectives at Durham Constabulary.''

 

[CSIAngus]

Hoping to find it on youtube!
Widower once accused of murdering Ann Heron speaks out in new documentary into tragic unsolved case - Teesside Live (gazettelive.co.uk)
''Now a new two-hour documentary, which is set to air on Channel 5 at 10pm on Tuesday, May 3, poses the question: did he kill his wife and get away with it or has he been the victim of a tragic miscarriage of justice for over 30 years?

Producers say: "For the first time in a documentary, Peter Heron himself gives his version of the events surrounding his wife’s death and how the crime has torn his family apart – his own children standing by him in a battle to prove his innocence – but his wife Ann’s family, are less certain and doubts remain about Peter’s account. ''

Escaped convict 'confessed' to murder of Ann Heron says crime expert ahead of new documentary - Teesside Live (gazettelive.co.uk)
''Jen says a man who was in Holme House prison with Benson years after the murder came forward after seeing convict's face associated with the crime during the 30-year anniversary appeal. He claims that Benson had told him he had killed a woman in Darlington who lived in an isolated home.

Speaking to DarlingtonLive, Jen said: "He described the house, said he had gone up the drive. He said he had gone to burgle the place and had come across 'this lady' and had murdered her. When you're in prison there is always this hierarchy of 'what are you in for' and the chaps thought at the time it was just a bit of bravado.''

"It was only when he saw on TV Michael Benson's face when they were talking about the murder of a lady in Darlington did he put two and two together. It's not a case many people know about."

The man, who did not want a reward or acknowledgement, has since wrote and signed a statement of truth about the confession, says Jen. It adds to her theory that Benson is an alternate suspect in the case and should be looked at by detectives at Durham Constabulary.''

Really enjoyed the documentary. Can't believe the Durham Constabulary have not followed other lines of enquiry with any vim. They appear stuck in a rut over Peter Heron, who most definitely is not the killer, IMO. Another force should be brought in to review the entire case.