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

[Jen Jarvie]

Was there anything unusual or suspicious about PH's behaviour after the police arrived at the house?

Nothing suspicious at all, in fact, everything you would expect from someone who had come across such a horrendous scene.

 

[Jen Jarvie]

I don't agree that Ann's background/family situation isn't "anyone's business".

It's an unsolved case, and IMO it's not disrespectful to take the 'no stones left unturned' approach.

Well, we will have to agree to disagree.

 

[RC80]

Was there anything unusual or suspicious about PH's behaviour after the police arrived at the house?

Surely it would only be the police who could determine this and that would be detailed in the statements of those at the scene?

 

[tes1984]

Nothing suspicious at all, in fact, everything you would expect from someone who had come across such a horrendous scene.

Thanks. Was it PH himself, or his mistress, who eventually confessed to the affair?

 

[WiseOwl]

Nothing suspicious at all, in fact, everything you would expect from someone who had come across such a horrendous scene.

During your investigation, did you ever speak to Ann Marie or any other members of Ann's family?

 

[Jen Jarvie]

During your investigation, did you ever speak to Ann Marie or any other members of Ann's family?

Of course, I have known them for 9 years. Any investigation cannot be thoroughly undertaken without speaking at length and depth with a family. Knowing a victim in death can only be done by extensive research, and investigation that goes further than open source material. Hence my annoyance at speculation on Halliwell as a suspect, where the family were never spoken to.

 

[rvlvr]

Of course, I have known them for 9 years. Any investigation cannot be thoroughly undertaken without speaking at length and depth with a family. Knowing a victim in death can only be done by extensive research, and investigation that goes further than open source material. Hence my annoyance at speculation on Halliwell as a suspect, where the family were never spoken to.

I know you weren’t a fan of the Scottish Murders podcast but I’d recommend it to anyone posting in this thread just for the interviews with Ralph that are interspersed throughout, he mentions discussing other POIs with yourself and also provides some good info re his family’s background, he came across very well.

Apologies if it’s been asked before but have you any thoughts on the letters that were sent in ‘94?

 

[Jen Jarvie]

I know you weren’t a fan of the Scottish Murders podcast but I’d recommend it to anyone posting in this thread just for the interviews with Ralph that are interspersed throughout, he mentions discussing other POIs with yourself and also provides some good info re his family’s background, he came across very well.

Apologies if it’s been asked before but have you any thoughts on the letters that were sent in ‘94?

Sorry, he doesn't come across well on facts of the case and surrounding information. He refers to his step sister as Dawn - her name is Debbie; states he met me whilst i was doing one of my masters qualifications- I'd completed them 5 years prior. These are just examples. I really like the series of podcasts they do, but know that the content of that one is very incorrect on lots of areas.

 

[rvlvr]

I mean, Dawn, Debbie, it’s splitting hairs isn’t it - we know who he means. And my point is that in relation to the question you were asked earlier, if people had listened to his interview they’d have known that you guys had met.

Do you have any thoughts re the letters?

 

[Jen Jarvie]

I mean, Dawn, Debbie, it’s splitting hairs isn’t it - we know who he means. And my point is that in relation to the question you were asked earlier, if people had listened to his interview they’d have known that you guys had met.

Do you have any thoughts re the letters?

No, not samantics. In such complex cases the detail is important and it is far more inaccurate than just a missed name. I'd advise there are better sources of information than that particular podcast; all of which have been mentioned in the thread already.

 

[Jen Jarvie]

A few people have asked about the letters and my opinion on them. There are several schools of thought. The letters could be genuine and sent from the killer, but could be just guesswork and sent by a random person like the Humble letters in the Yorkshire Ripper enquiry.
Readman, the SIO at the beginning of the case, stated that they were vivid and compelling. I have identified some links to Benson, stated in open-source material, too. However, there is nothing to say either way.
Numerous people were asked to give handwriting samples, including Peter Heron, and no one matched.

 

[rvlvr]

No, not samantics. In such complex cases the detail is important and it is far more inaccurate than just a missed name. I'd advise there are better sources of information than that particular podcast; all of which have been mentioned in the thread already.

You absolutely are splitting hairs here, Ralph misremembering Debbie’s name and particularly your educational history is hardly pertinent to the case! I think we can excuse a man in his 60s for not being too hot on those details. It seems odd you’d want to discourage people from listening to a victim’s family member talking about the case - Ralph seems a very fair minded and level headed fella in the circumstances, and if anything the impression I get from listening to both siblings speak over the years is that neither he nor Ann-Marie believe PH killed Ann.

 

[Spoof]

Of course, I have known them for 9 years. Any investigation cannot be thoroughly undertaken without speaking at length and depth with a family. Knowing a victim in death can only be done by extensive research, and investigation that goes further than open source material. Hence my annoyance at speculation on Halliwell as a suspect, where the family were never spoken to.

Is it not speculation about Benson? The Police have said he's not a suspect.

 

[Spoof]

A few people have asked about the letters and my opinion on them. There are several schools of thought. The letters could be genuine and sent from the killer, but could be just guesswork and sent by a random person like the Humble letters in the Yorkshire Ripper enquiry.
Readman, the SIO at the beginning of the case, stated that they were vivid and compelling. I have identified some links to Benson, stated in open-source material, too. However, there is nothing to say either way.
Numerous people were asked to give handwriting samples, including Peter Heron, and no one matched.

What are the links to Benson?

 

[Spoof]

Thanks. Was it PH himself, or his mistress, who eventually confessed to the affair?

Good question. I did post previously about the video footage of PH when he did his public appeal. Does anyone know where it can be viewed?

 

[Spoof]

Let's see the minute by minute timeline then please...

That'd be really interesting to see.

 

[Spoof]

It is really important not to believe everything you read in the papers. The SIO is still Craig Rudd; confirmed by the Heron's this morning. Since 1990 there have been about 10 SIO's and different review teams including Stalker; this is not uncommon for a case of this length. Anyone reviewing the informaiton will be led by6 the previous SIO report and fresh eyes are not reexamining the case but re-examining the case files. @WiseOwl you may not have seen today's Daily Record.

The article you're referring to says that Benson is not a suspect.

It says: "However no direct link was made with Benson and following a lengthy investigation he was dismissed as a suspect."

Mum murdered 35 years ago "not killed by husband" says top investigator

A top private investigator says the husband of Ann Heron is innocent of her murder in 1990 and police should look elsewhere

www.dailyrecord.co.uk

 

[Jen Jarvie]

You absolutely are splitting hairs here, Ralph misremembering Debbie’s name and particularly your educational history is hardly pertinent to the case! I think we can excuse a man in his 60s for not being too hot on those details. It seems odd you’d want to discourage people from listening to a victim’s family member talking about the case - Ralph seems a very fair minded and level headed fella in the circumstances, and if anything the impression I get from listening to both siblings speak over the years is that neither he nor Ann-Marie believe PH killed Ann.

As I have put previously there are numerous mistakes within the podcast - not just the ones pointed out. I am only discouraging the listening as a lot of the information is incorrect.

 

[WiseOwl]

As I have put previously there are numerous mistakes within the podcast - not just the ones pointed out. I am only discouraging the listening as a lot of the information is incorrect.

On the afternoon in question, do you know why Ann Marie didn't visit her mother? I know she was supposed to see her mom that day, but i don't know why it was cancelled.

 

[dotr]

Re-post, Ann's case is the first one featured.

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Oct 16, 2018
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.