London murders: No justice for families as number of unsolved killings rises year on year

Victim: Margaret Muller, killed in 2003
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Scotland Yard has 863 unsolved murders on its books from the past 20 years, the Standard can reveal.

The number of “undetected” homicides for last year in London was 33 — the most in a single year since 2002, statistics released by the Metropolitan police show. There is a recent rise in such cases, with five in 2014, nine in 2015, 16 in 2016 and 28 in 2017.

Senior detectives point out that the Met solves about 90 per cent of homicides, and not always in the year they are committed. However, despite advances in forensics and CCTV, witnesses often refuse to co-operate for fear of being accused of “snitching”.

As of July 31, 863 of the 3,078 homicides since January 1999 were classified as undetected, analysis of data obtained through a Freedom of Information request revealed.

About 2,140 murder investigations were resolved by a sanction detection, where a suspect is charged. In 75 cases, a suspect is no longer being sought because they have died.

Billy Cox was shot dead on Valentine’s Day in his home in Clapham in February 2007
Metropolitan Police/PA Wire

Among London’s most notorious unsolved murders is that of American artist Margaret Muller, 27, who was stabbed during an early-morning jog in Victoria Park in February 2003. Police believe she could have been the victim of a bungled robbery.

Also seeking justice is the family of Billy Cox, 15, who was shot dead on Valentine’s Day in the bedroom of his home in Clapham in February 2007.

His mother Arpon Cox said this year: “We continue to live every day with the pain of Billy no longer being with us, and that his father passed away with a broken heart in not receiving justice for his son.”

Two men arrested on suspicion of murder in June have been bailed.

American artist Margaret Muller was stabbed during an early-morning jog in Victoria Park in February 2003
Metropolitan Police/PA Wire

A shortage of detectives and forensic science facilities and increasing demands on police have made solving murder harder.

But Detective Chief Superintendent Richard Wood, head of the Yard’s homicide and major crime command, said no unsolved murder case is ever closed.

He added: “There is a huge amount of work taking place on unsolved murders. There are between 15-20 cases subject to a full cold-case review at any one time… Homicide investigations are lengthy and complex, and in some cases do take years to come to conclusion.”

The Met has a robust review process for all homicide investigations, he said. If unsolved after 28 days, a homicide is independently reviewed by specialist officers from the Met’s Serious Crime review group.

Detective Chief Superintendent Richard Wood
Matt Writtle

If a case remains unsolved where all reasonable lines of inquiry have been progressed, it is formally presented to a panel chaired by a commander. They decide whether the investigation should be put on hold.

An investigation on hold is subject to a review every two years by the Serious Crime review group, with the aim of identifying new investigative opportunities or techniques.

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