The key to unraveling the long-standing mystery of Jill Dando’s murder may lie within the extensive collection of evidence stored in 223 police boxes. The recent review of this evidence by Metropolitan Police signifies a significant step forward, as they explore the possibility of new leads without initiating a formal investigation.
Nigel, Jill’s brother, has highlighted the recurring emergence of fresh information over the years, underscoring the need to pursue new lines of inquiry. The investigation into Jill’s murder, the second largest in Met Police history following the Stephen Lawrence case, involved meticulous examination of each of the 223 evidence boxes, containing approximately 1,000 pages each.
The extensive digital records, comprising 23,246 documents stored in the Home Office Large Major Enquiry System (Holmes), were a pivotal tool in the 1999 investigation codenamed Operation Oxborough. Amid ongoing scrutiny following the Macpherson report’s criticism, the case posed significant challenges for the authorities.
Detective Chief Inspector Hamish Campbell’s team left no stone unturned, conducting interviews with over 2,500 individuals, tracking 1,200 vehicles, and collecting 3,700 exhibits. The exhaustive £2.75 million inquiry explored numerous leads, involving thorough analyses of mobile phone records, CCTV footage, and extensive searches for specific vehicles.
Despite the relentless efforts, the mystery surrounding Jill’s murder persisted, with numerous speculations including a potential Serbian plot. The arrest of Barry George in 2000 marked a significant development, leading to a lengthy legal process that ultimately ended with his acquittal in 2008.
With the case transitioning to an inactive status in 2014, periodic reviews and forensic examinations have been conducted to reevaluate the evidence. Detective Chief Superintendent Barry Webb commended Campbell’s thorough and unbiased approach, emphasizing the importance of exploring all possible scenarios with an open mind.
The legacy of Jill Dando’s unsolved murder continues to intrigue, prompting ongoing scrutiny and reexamination of the evidence in search of elusive answers.