Upon realising his tragedy, the boy comitted suicide at the same spot. Blatchford's mother, Muriel, is known to have repeatedly remarked to reporters following the coroner's inquest that the "only animal" capable of removing her daughter's underwear, tights, and bra but leaving her raincoat and blouse intact must have been a human male. The informant named an associate of the Kray twins as being behind the scam. The forest has long standing criminal associations. Fewer than one in every 1,000 experience robbery.". The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused. There used to be talk of a suicide pool in Epping Epping Forest in Essex has a rich history, dating back to the Iron Age. Supt Nick Morris said: Sadly a number of areas in Essex and indeed the country are experiencing an increase in the number of violent offences which are being committed. Another pond at an unknown location deep in the woods is said to draw people to commit suicide in its murky waters, after two young lovers died in a tragic murder-suicide at the pond 300 years ago. His claims the two had lured both children into his car, then "raped and buggered" both in a cellar for several days before discarding their bodies on the outskirts of Epping Forestwith his being an accessory after the fact with regards to the disposal of their bodieswere investigated, but quickly discounted. [16][17] Over 200 potential sightings of the children were investigated, although each failed to prove fruitful. Near this location, Jebson observed an open gateway, which he drove through before parking his vehicle at a location outside the actual copse where he had constructed this hide, but obscured from the view of potential witnesses. The expansive forest, which stretches for over 9 square miles, is covered with thick trees that haven't been cut in over 100 years, due to the Epping Forest Act of 1878. Both sets of parents also remained convinced their children had not died via a form of misadventure or natural causes. On the night of 6 December, 1995, Nicholls claimed Steele and Whomes shot the three men in their Range Rover. Hanlon's shoes were found several feet from his body, whereas Blatchford's bra, knickers, tights, socks and shoes had been removed. He wrote what the informant said in an official log, including a claim that one of the suspects had corrupt police contacts. Comments have been closed on this article. Subsequently, question is, what is Epping Forest famous for? Epping Forest is probably best known as the site of at least one of the murders committed by highwayman Richard Turpin back in the 18th century. He was convicted of both murders in May 2000. Yet another pub that isn't in the GBG for you, just to show not ALL my trips are to dull tickers venues approved by the CAMRAs ( joke, joke, don't kick me off the GBG21 priority list ). We want justice for Maxine. Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event. When the boy remarked that he "[wanted] to go home", Jebson shouted, "You're going nowhere!" Detectives have made no secret of his death being a targeted assassination. Terry Gooderham and Maxine Arnold murdered in December 1989 and the murder of Patricia Parsons in June 1990. It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times. We have taken the ten nearest place to Epping and ranked them according to the number of violent incidents in the 'best fit' Policing neighbourhood. [n 5] He had lured the children into his Standard Ten vehicle, plied both with alcohol and cannabis and driven the two to the edge of Epping Forest, where he had earlier constructed a hide with willow branches. Epping Forest is an ancient woodland at the border between London and Essex. This person is responsible for the operational management of the forest. I find this very unlikely as there is no real proof, only wild speculation that Bigfoot, if he exists, can perform such feats. Essex Police say they constantly review all unsolved cases in the county. She and her two sons were asleep when a fire was started deliberately and posted through the letterbox of her front door on November 10. The victim, a member of a notorious gang in Canning Town, East London . Sections of the false account as to his movements on the afternoon and evening in question which he provided to investigators were corroborated by independent witnesses, who had seen Jebson inside an Enfield jobcentre shortly before Blatchford and Hanlon disappeared. US records largest annual increase in murders in six decades At this hearing, the coroner, Charles Clarke, was unable to determine a cause of death for either child, or determine whether either had been the victim of any form of sexual assault. Every day, we bring you the most thrilling and bizarre stories that will make your jaw drop and your spine tingle. Stephen Morrison, 30, was found seriously injured in Epping Road, Epping, Essex, at about 20: . Hanlon was the youngest of three siblings. Both bodies were redressed and left lying side by side, approximately one foot apart. We thank our supporters from the bottom of our hearts for their generous donations that keep anomalien.com alive. [9] Both bodies were so badly decomposed that pathologist James Cameron could only confirm their identities via dental records. [44] He had subsequently remained in the copse with their bodies until the early hours of the following morning before returning home. Please report any comments that break our rules. How on earth is that possible. During a press conference on the Thursday, police appealed for anyone who knew anything about the vehicle or the incident to come . Epping Forest is a 2,400-hectare (5,900-acre) area of ancient woodland, and other established habitats, which straddles the border between Greater London and Essex. In reference to this argument, Detective Chief Inspector Declan Donnelly would later remark: "I personally do not think he confessed to clear his conscience. In a hugely sad missing person case, mum-of-two Nicola Ray, 30, disappeared following a night out with friends in the early hours of May 2, 2000. [52], In 2002, Jebson was transferred from HM Prison Wakefield to HM Prison Frankland in County Durham. Concern for the children's welfare was heightened by the fact that on the night of their disappearance the temperature had fallen below freezing point, and the morning of 1 April saw a snowfall across Enfield. The bodies of Susan Blatchford (eleven years old), and Gary Hanlon (twelve years old), were discovered in a copse on Lippitts Hill, after they went missing from their homes in Enfield, north London, in March 1970. 55,000 ancient trees Epping Forest is home to 55,000 ancient trees, more than any other single site in the country. It should be noted that the attacks do bear some similarity with other phenomena. Hanlon's mother, Beryl, answered the door. His helmet was all but knocked off of his head by a strong unseen hand. Crime Statistics for Epping, Epping Forest, Essex, February 2023 Essex police launched the campaign today. Supt Morris said a change in the way stalking and harassment offences are recorded accounted for the large statistical increase. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can The Epping Forest Keepers are an ancient and historic body of people who are employed by the City of London, who in return are responsible, on behalf of the Conservators, for the management and care of Epping Forest, which covers approximately ten square miles of forest, bridleway, woodland and recreational space stretching from Forest Gate in Hanlon was described as being just 4 ft 2in (130cm) in height and was last seen wearing a brown cardigan, a fawn patterned pullover, and blue jeans. Was the gunman who stalked a well-known courting spot in Epping Forest on the evening of Friday, December 22nd, 1989, a contract killer? But Andrea, 40, became trapped in her bedroom and died as a result of inhaling smoke. A dedicated team of British detectives is working to solve cold case murders. But may be not? Another poor soul to fall victim to the mystery attacker was an 18-year-old woman called Lillian Dowse, whose home was between the forest and Loughton. The South Essex unsolved murders dating back 20 years | Echo Gangland-style execution of lovers linked to Krays and corrupt police Richard and Stuart, then aged 20 and 17, were forced to jump from a first-floor window. Albert Williams, Angela Millington and Denis Petkov's deaths remain unsolved. [6] Jebson subsequently died in prison in 2015. A 47-year-old man was arrested but never charged in relation to her death. 111K views 4 months ago For twenty six years the public believed that two children found dead in Epping Forest in 1970 had died of exposure. Terry Gooderham, 39, and Maxine Arnold, 32, were found in a car on December 23, 1989, in Epping Forest, East London. A 66-year-old Eastwood man was arrested but never charged with her murder. There's just something about him I just don't like. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. [48][53], Both mothers thanked Read for his initial efforts in attempting to keep the case active as a murder inquiry in spite of the legal obstacles he had faced, although Read emphasised to the families and media that, had Donnelly not been persistent in his efforts to obtain Jebson's confession following his own retirement, the case would likely have remained unsolved. If those responsible are brought to justice, it can enable some of those affected to find a way of moving forward. Shocked, the three friends then conducted a very thorough search of the area for the violent culprit but their endeavors were in vain because whoever or whatever had launched the attack on the man couldnt be found. Due to the fact the area where the bodies were actually discovered was so overgrown, police had allowed search and rescue dogs to examine this section of the copse alone. Sections of the false account as to his movements on the afternoon and evening in question which he provided to investigators were corroborated by independent witnesses, who had seen Jebson inside an Enfield jobcentre shortly before Blatchford and Hanlon disappeared. The whistleblower told the Mirror: The informant was scared stiff. Contemporary reports describe her as appearing one or two years older than her eleven years. "[30], Both sets of parents also remained convinced their children had not died via a form of misadventure or natural causes. All our content comes from Wikipedia and under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. 9 May 2000. There were a total of 56 street level crime incidents in Epping in February 2023. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. [31], In May 1996, convicted paedophile and child killer Ronald Jebson contacted Scotland Yard to offer information regarding the Babes in the Wood murders. He later entered a formal plea of guilty to both murders before Judge David Stokes at the Old Bailey on 9 May, with his defence counsel, John Evison, arguing his client had chosen to confess because he did not wish to take his crimes to his grave. 9 May 2000. He was conceived outside of wedlock, and was adopted as an infant. It is rich in fauna and flora, a perfect setting for relaxing in the great British outdoors and leaving behind the stresses of the working week. "These increases concern us which is why we are putting 150 more police officers on the streets of the county next year to bolster our resources and our capability to not only respond to incidents as they occur but also to conduct investigations. Clothing belonging to bothincluding underwearhad been removed from their bodies, and Blatchford's slacks had been torn along the inner seams in a manner suggesting the garment had been purposely ripped from the waist downwards. 180 Wards where immigrants outnumber people born in the UK. Please report any comments that break our rules. As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles. I had heard about the strange happenings in the forest, and was keeping a pretty keen lookout. Bulgarian national Denis Petkov, 19, died from a single stab wound to his neck in East Hanningfield Road, Rettendon, on March 11 in 2017. [45] Both bodies were redressed and left lying side by side, approximately one foot apart. Although sections of the press speculated the children had died of exposure due to the climate on 31 March and 1 April, the clothing of each child strongly indicated both had been redressed after their deaths, leading both sets of parents and several police officers to strongly suspect they had not died of natural causes. I'll get even!" Both children were discovered lying on their back, side by side, with Blatchford's arm found draped across Hanlon's body. Underwater search and recovery units searched local rivers, canals, reservoirs, and flooded gravel pits. According to Beryl, Blatchford simply asked the question, "Is Gary there?" The Range Rover was metallic blue with an F-plate registration but police had been unable to trace the owner in the early stages. Hanlon then attempted to fight Jebson, who struck the boy in the face, then raped him as he strangled him. Epping Forest body: Two jailed over 'execution' style murder There were a total of 56 street level crime incidents in Epping in February 2023. Jebson was released from prison in 1973 and subsequently moved into the Hatfield home of his former school friend, Robert Papper, concealing the truth behind his criminal convictions for child molestation from the family. Continue with Recommended Cookies. By mid-April, Scotland Yard had become active in the manhunt, and the search for Blatchford and Hanlon had expanded nationwide.