Police reopen 35-year-old investigation into ‘professional killing’ of gold dealer
An unsolved murder investigation into the killing of a gold dealer has been reopened 35 years after he was shot in a bath.
Detectives announced they were relaunching the case of Richard “Ricky” Haywood, who was executed in 1989 at point blank range.
Nobody has ever faced justice for the murder of the 36-year-old – despite police interviewing 11,000 people at the time.
Haywood was said to have had links to the criminal underworld and was killed in a “professional” gangland-style hit.
He took out a £1 million life insurance policy weeks before his death and despite him being obsessed with private security, surveillance cameras were not recording on the night he was murdered at his flat in Southampton, Hants.
The cold case featured on the BBC’s Crimewatch in 1990 and in recent years internet sleuths on Reddit have pondered over the murder.
On Tuesday, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary announced that it is re-launching its investigation because detectives believe that improved technology can help them finally solve the case.
Crimestoppers is also offering £20,000 to anyone with information that can help lead to an arrest and conviction.
Officers in Hampshire police’s major crime team have been looking into the details of the case and conducting a review of all evidence available to them.
They said that advancements in forensic science in the past 35 years will allow them to pursue this as one of the main lines of inquiry.
Det Insp Elizabeth Brunt, who is leading the investigation, said: “As we review the evidence available to us, I would like to appeal to anyone out there that may hold information about what happened to come forward and speak to us.
“I believe someone knows why Ricky was killed and who was responsible. Whatever your allegiances, you would be doing the right thing by telling us what you know.
“I would urge those people to think about Ricky’s family who have waited more than 35 years to find out why someone killed him.
“While Ricky’s mother died brokenhearted, the rest of his family are desperate to know the truth.”
At his 1993 inquest, it was heard Haywood was shot five times in his flat, which was above his jewellery shop, Ambiance, on the evening of Oct 16 1989.
An inspector at the time said that there was “no doubt” he had been murdered, with all evidence pointing towards it being a “professional killing”.
Haywood was described after his murder in 1989 as a ”‘wheeler-dealer” who had many contacts in the criminal world.
On the 1990 episode of Crimewatch, it was said that Haywood was shot with an old, worn .22 revolver.
He had apparently been negotiating a deal for a three-acre farm property near Southampton, but was facing debts.
At the time, Supt Ray Piper said that Haywood “mixed with some rather shady characters” and had bought stolen property.
Two men were said to have fled from the area suspiciously.
Detectives went to the United States to speak to a prisoner in an American jail as part of the investigation, but although four people were arrested, nobody has ever been charged.
Haywood’s mother, Phyllis, went into hiding over fears that her son’s killers may also pursue her, in search of his money.
She offered thousands of pounds as a reward for information, but died without knowing who killed her son.
Beth Simpson, the regional manager at the charity Crimestoppers, said: “Ricky’s heartbroken family still don’t have answers or justice.
“Our charity is offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information given exclusively to us that leads to the arrest, charge and conviction of anybody responsible for his murder.
“If you have information, however small, please speak up and tell Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously.
“If you prefer not to talk to the police, you can tell us what you know, and we’ll pass it on for you, it is not too late. We are independent of the police and won’t ask for any personal details, there’ll be no police contact or witness statements, and you won’t have to go to court. Nobody will know you contacted us.”
In a statement issued via the police, Haywood’s sister said: “We cannot express enough the huge impact Ricky’s death has had on us.
“The pain never goes away. My mum never had peace and it slowly ate away at her, she went to her grave never knowing who committed this awful crime.
“I, as Ricky’s sister, have to live with the pain of his murder and knowing how my mum suffered too.
“We pray this new appeal will urge someone to come forward and hopefully after all these years find justice and closure.”
Police urged anyone with any information to contact them on 101 quoting Operation Tango/44080416574 or visit their public portal to submit information online.
People can also contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.