As newly appointed Crime Reporter for WINOL, a University based News Bulletin (WinchesterNewsOnline), I have spent the past fortnight undergoing intensive shorthand (re)training and research into some of the most infamous criminal cases.
With less than a week left, I am fully preparing myself for the start of a new semester.
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| This will be my livelihood from this moment on. |
An exclusive from the Daily Mirror, this case has been described as "... one of the biggest unsolved mysteries in the world." [Bingham, G. Daily Mirror, 08.09.12].
A Brief History:
"Blood in the Basement" (page 91)
The mysterious disappearance of the 7th Earl of Lucan, John Bingham, after the murder of 29 year old nanny Sandra Rivett on 7th November 1974 at their family home on Lower Belgrave Street, London.
Hard DNA evidence proved guilt "beyond doubt".
- Rivett battered to death with blunt instrument, a bandaged piece of lead piping, retrieved from abandoned Ford Corsair Lucan had borrowed from friend. Blood of both victim and wife, Veronica Duncan (Lady Lucan) present on weapon and inside car.
- Blood on murder weapon suggested Lady Lucan was attacked at the top of the stairs leading to the basement where body of Rivett was discovered in bloodstained sack. Folded over not fastened. Injuries to both women said to be similar.
- Male footprints found in pool of blood in basement and breakfast room - said to be where nanny was attacked.
- Two letters written by Lucan before disappearance to Bill Shand Kydd, his brother in law, which contained blood of both victim and wife on envelope.
20th November 1963
- Lord Richard John Bingham marries Veronica Duncan. They separate 10 years later.
8:30pm
- Children put to bed by nanny. Frances, 10, George, 7, Camilla, 4.
- Lucan spotted outside Clermont in his Mercedes. Car later found outside his home with flat battery.
- Lady Lucan looking for nanny, attacked with blunt instrument at top of stairs leading to basement.
- Lady Lucan burst into "The Plumbers Arms".
- Mrs. Madeleine Floorman, friend and neighbour, claimed doorbell rang "insistently". Says she got a call from Lucan who sounded "distressed" and "became incoherent".
- Lucan called his mother asking her to pick up the children. Lucan's flat searched by police. Not there, but found car keys, passport, chequebook, driving license, wallet and glasses. His blue Mercedes was parked outside with flat battery.
- Lucan arrived in Uckfield at the home of Ian and Susan Maxwell Scott wearing blood stained clothes. Drove Ford Corsair borrowed from friend 2-3 weeks earlier. Three days after murder, car was found abandoned in Newhaven. Blood of Sandra Rivett and Lady Lucan found inside, along with supposed murder weapon.
- Lucan called mother from Maxwell Scott house. No reply. Wrote two letters to brother in law Bill Shand Kydd, suggested "suicide notes". Blood of Sandra Rivett and Lady Lucan found on envelope.
Front Page Daily Mirror "Sea Hunt For Earl in Death Mystery"
12th November 1974
Front Page Daily Mirror "Where Did He Go?"
14th November 1974
Front Page Daily Mirror "Lady Lucan Faces The World"
June 1975
Lord Lucan found guilty of killing nanny and attacking wife.
11th December 1992
Lucan presumed dead.
1999
High Court ruled Lucan dead. Son, George Bingham, becomes 8th Earl of Lucan.
The story still haunts the front page of the Daily Mirror, with the compelling story of George Bingham, Lucan's son, 38 years after the incident.
CRIMINAL LAW ACT (1977)
"It was the last time that an inquest jury exercised its right to name a murderer." [Stratmann, L. 2007]. Right abolished by Criminal Law Act.
Sources:
- Dagnell, A. Daily Mirror, 08.09.12 (Pages 2-5)
- Dagnell, A. Sunday Mirror, 09.09.12 (Pages 10-13)
- Dagnell, A. Daily Mirror, 10.09.12 (Pages 12 and 13)
- Dagnell, A. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/lord-lucan-son-george-bingham-1318308 [Accessed 11.09.12]
- Stratmann, L. "The Mammoth Book of CSI", 2007 (Pages 91-111)
I'm not convinced Lord Lucan killed the nanny. How did Lucan get into the house that night?
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