After more than 26 years, potential key evidence to solve the long-standing Jill Dando murder case may lie within the 223 boxes of evidence stored in police deep storage. The Metropolitan Police’s recent acknowledgment of reviewing these findings marks a significant step, although they clarify it is not a new investigation but rather an attempt to explore the possibility of a fresh lead.
Notably, Jill’s brother Nigel has mentioned sporadic appearances of “new” information over time, which often did not lead to a breakthrough. Following an extensive examination alongside former colleague Matt Young, there is a strong belief in the presence of unexplored investigative paths.
The inquiry into Jill’s murder stands as one of the largest homicide investigations conducted by the Metropolitan Police, second only to the ongoing Stephen Lawrence case. Each of the 223 evidence boxes contains approximately 1,000 pages of crucial information.
The meticulous records amount to 23,246 documents stored in the Home Office Large Major Enquiry System, known as “Holmes,” specifically designed for significant criminal probes. The investigation, known as Operation Oxborough in 1999, faced immense pressure from its inception.
The dedicated murder squad, led by Det Chief Insp Hamish Campbell, extensively interviewed over 2,500 individuals, tracked 1,200 vehicles, and gathered 3,700 exhibits. With a budget of £2.75 million, the investigation pursued numerous leads, involving a team of 45 officers scrutinizing mobile phone records and CCTV footage extensively.
Furthermore, the scrutiny extended to analyzing 60 cases of firearm-related female homicides, investigating 8,000 names provided to the police, and tracing 20,000 blue Range Rovers. Despite a substantial influx of daily communications, including letters, calls, and emails, the theory of Jill Dando’s murder being linked to a Serbian plot lacked substantial evidence, as indicated by security services.
Following the arrest of Barry George in April 2000, meticulous efforts over a year were made to solidify the case, aiming to prevent any repeat of past investigative shortcomings. However, George was eventually acquitted in a 2008 retrial after spending eight wrongful years in prison.
Det Chief Insp Campbell maintained oversight of the case until his retirement in 2013, expressing confidence in the original outcome. Ex-Met Det Chief Supt Barry Webb, who reviewed the case shortly after, commended Campbell’s thorough and impartial approach to exploring all plausible scenarios.
Despite undergoing various reviews and forensic assessments, the investigation was placed on inactive status in 2014, lacking an overarching review by an independent official. Periodic reevaluations and additional forensic examinations have since been conducted to shed light on the unresolved case.