UK UK - Penny Bell, 43, Ealing, London, 6 June 1991

[lee sumner]

Always found it interesting that in the days leading up to the murder Penny was said to be on edge or agitated or words to that effect. Obviously she also drew the money out and on the morning of the murder did not carry out some of the usual household chores. It feels like there was something going on. Nothing has ever emerged about the appointment she mentioned which again is apparently unlike her not to record. Of course she may never had an appointment but just said it to avoid being held up by her builders. Also she may have used the word appointment for any sort of meeting or liaison or assignation. You wouldn't thought a routine business meeting would have made her agitated.

i think she did have appointment with her killer. its weird he would allow himself to be picked up at a location then he takes her to the GG car park. why not have penny go directly there. logistics wise it stops penny attempting to signal for help.

 

[lee sumner]

In one interview, the daughter says she thinks she knows who did it. But what was the motive?

yes, they know who did this, but cant prove it. i would love to know the motive myself.

 

[tes1984]

they were on when her body was found, but i think she managed to put them on when the killer escaped. as she was dying it was her last action to try and signal for help as she was slowly dying in her vehicle. i think this theory is the only one that makes sense.

I don't think she was still alive by the time the killer left the area.

 

[lee sumner]

Basic timeline (corrections welcome):

1991
Penny Bell murdered
John Richmond interviewed and fingerprinted
1992
John Richmond arrested and bailed
Bail cancelled
1994
John Richmond approaches The Sun with his hitman story
Police plan to re-interview John Richmond

I suspect that the hazard lights were already on before they reached the carpark, and the wipers were switched on by mistake, by the killer, during the murder.

And not only that they also managed to find a free space in a relatively obscure part of the car park that was partially shielded by overgrown hedges. We don't know if that car park was specifically chosen or just a randomly chosen place. It does seem quite remarkable that such a frenzied attack could be carried out without being noticed. Perhaps initially something else was going on and then the killer just lost control of themselves. I do tend to agree that forcing someone to drive for a significant distance is no easy task either.

the space where car was parked up was hidden from view by the bushes, so iam not surprised no one noticed the attack.

 

[lee sumner]

I don't think she was still alive by the time the killer left the area.

i meant left the car park seconds after he walks away or gets into his vehicle.

 

[tes1984]

builders were questioned about how they were being paid, and the money took out was not there wages, and PB was not paying them in cash to avoid VAT.

The husband was interviewed and said that if the builders preferred cash then she paid them in cash.

 

[lee sumner]

I suspect that the hazard lights were already on before they reached the carpark, and the wipers were switched on by mistake, by the killer, during the murder.

hazards could be on without killer knowing, but not wipers.

 

[Professor Moriarty]

Did the killer always intend to kill PB? (He had that knife with him.)

If so, why not do it earlier in a more secluded area or make PB drive to a more secluded area?

If not, what, during the car journey, made him decide to do it?

 

[tes1984]

hazards could be on without killer knowing, but not wipers.

Perhaps he knows, but doesn't care. Or can't work out how to switch them off. Or realises he has to leave the scene immediately. Or he's still in a blind rage as he leaves and doesn't even notice. Who knows with such a chaotic murder scene?

 

[tes1984]

Did the killer always intend to kill PB? (He had that knife with him.)

If so, why not do it earlier in a more secluded area or make PB drive to a more secluded area?

If not, what, during the car journey, made him decide to do it?

It doesn't make much sense. Particularly if the earlier sighting of Penny and the man with the bronze car, at a far more isolated spot, is genuine.