Video, 00:00:42, Dog found alive after 23 days under rubble, Watch Kate beat William in spin class endurance race. However, if it wasnt for Victor Penaluna and D.C. Paul Rogers of the London Metropolitan Police I would have been none the wiser about the Muriel Drinkwater murder. The Little Red Riding Hood murder of Muriel Drinkwater. Drinkwater, a 12-year-old schoolgirl, was raped and shot in the woods in Penllergaer, Swansea. Todays' video is about the true crime story of the unsolved murder of 12 year old Muriel Drinkwater in 1946. Her route to her familys home Tyle-Du Farmentailed a mile-long journey that wove in and out of the woods. In 2007 whilst researching for my 2008 True Crime book Every Mothers Nightmare Abertillery in Mourning, which dealt with the murders of two Abertillery school-girls in 1921, I received a surprise visit from Victor Penaluna, a cousin of the second Abertillery victim Florence Little aged 11. [18] The public can no longer access the Drinkwater files by Freedom of Information Act requests or in person at the archives office in Kew. This forensic approach is becoming more common. Mark Lewis by email of this fact but my email was ignored. I think it was suggested that the police thought that the family knew more than they were letting on. If you can contact [emailprotected] Id really appreciate it. Advertisement. He stated that I was barking up the wrong tree regarding Harold Jones having killed Muriel and finished by saying Happy Hunting before slamming the phone down on me. Both girls were murdered in woods within a half mile of their homes. Muriel Joan Drinkwater was raped in Penllergaer Woods, beaten about the head with a blunt instrument and then shot with a World War I Colt 45 on 27 June 1946. Given that Hoyles was the last person to see Muriel alive, he quickly fell under a thick veil of suspicion. Yet, despite their exhaustive enquiries - not to mention the discovery of the gun used in Muriel's shooting - the culprit managed to evade justice. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. But the mystery doesn't end there and the team want to unlock the mystery behind a book belonging to Muriel that turned up in a charity shop decades after her death. The 12-year-old attended Gowerton County We got a partial profile, given that it was the oldest cold case with a semen stain on it that we had been working on.". Over 20,000 men were interviewed about the crime . Jones was ruled out at the beginning of May, 2019. The savage nature of the attack stands out from other rapes. The True Crime Files Harries bludgeoned two of his relatives to death with a hammer when they wouldn't let him borrow their car. Ms Drinkwater was seen by her mother in the distance. Hi Neil Does his daughter have a son.? ', Glamorgan Police and men of the 169th Bomb Disposal Unit make a break for a meal during their search for evidence after her murder on June 27, 1946, Jones, originally of Abertillery, South Wales, is a suspect in the killings of six women in London in the 1960s. will do what you suggest. The 12 year old loved to sing and there was a skip in her step as she started on the winding path through the forest. Required fields are marked *. Just a few weeks short of her 13th birthday, Muriel had been beaten on the crown of her head with an object, raped and then shot twice in the . The new B.B.C. Or was she just in the wrong place at the wrong time? Paul says: "Muriel had almost made it to the home. [8][4] Policemen from Glamorgan, assisted by the 169th Bomb Disposal Unit, used a metal detector to search for a second weapon suspected to have been used, but never located it. Lets deduce, her killer was obviously male, or were they, unless they had extracted the sperm from another person it is definite that they are a male, so we have a male, s/ that narrows it down. The killer was dubbed Jack The Stripper because of the way he left his victims. 4th daughter born to Lilian and Charles Herbert Irvine in Liverpool. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. I wonder if there was a sketch done when Hoyles confronted a man weeks earlier. Arrested once again, Jones this time pleaded guilty to the charge of murder at aMonmouthcourt in November 1921. Elizabeth Muriel Greenshields Drinkwater . Detectives to revisit unsolved murder. [12][13], For more than a decade, Welsh true crime author Neil Milkins theorised that notorious child murderer Harold Jones (19061971) was responsible for the murders of both Martin and Drinkwater. On the afternoon of Muriels murder, thirteen-year-old Hoyles purchased eggs from Muriels mother at their family farm. She was sexually assaulted and strangled and last seen with an American soldier. We are hoping to make a BBC documentary (follow on from Dark Son) to see if we can shed any new light on the case. Paul.. It is currently one of the oldest active cold cases in the UK. [15] There is evidence that Harries was employed by Drinkwater's father, John, at the time of her death. In the days and weeks that followed Muriel's murder, police officers visited every farmhouse and cottage within 150 square miles, along with interviewing 20,000 men in Swansea, Aberdare and Carmarthenshire. In mid 2007, I had extensive contact with Detective Constable Paul Rogers of the London Metropolitan Police. Interesting case Christine. Are you able to tell me if her father has been cleared via DNA profiling?. Margaret went out into the yard and her and Muriel exchanged waves. 'I have spoken to Muriel's family and bring them up to date with the latest details of this investigation. A brother, nephew, grandson. Psychic Diane Lazarus Investigates Muriel Drinkwater Murder - YouTube 0:00 / 21:56 Sign in to confirm your age This video may be inappropriate for some users. Roll on another 2 months for a denied request. Trump rages at Mark Zuckerberg amid claims group linked to Facebook boss gave $2 million to Georgia elections board - and says Dems are 'trying to steal a SECOND election'. The murder of Muriel Drinkwater ,[2] also known as the Little Red Riding Hood murder, is an unsolved 1946 child murder case from Wales. In 2008, a DNA profile of the suspect was extracted from her clothes, possibly the oldest one in the world to . I informed D.C.I. Muriel Drinkwater Muriel Drinkwater (born 1906) Jump to: Bio graphy Family Photos Comments Obit uary. I personally think whoever did it was a true psychopath and he would probably of done something like it before and has done other crimes since. The comments below have not been moderated. - Listen to The Unsolved Murder of Muriel Drinkwater by The True Crime Files instantly on your tablet, phone or browser - no downloads needed. Was a local stalking Muriel? Norah Irene Bartlett. The case, which became known as the Little Red Riding Hood murder, is one of the oldest active cold cases in the United Kingdom. Unless he bludgeoned first then he raped, this would have caught her by surprise. ", * Dark Land: Hunting the Killers is on BBC iPlayer, School friends at the grave of Muriel Drinkwater, whose murder in 1946 remains one of the most horrifying in Welsh history. I really appreciate how youre helping keep the true crime community informed on whats going on behind the scenes in this frustrating and heartbreaking case. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. She was seen by her mother from a distance of 400 yards away, but before Muriel could arrive home, she was murdered. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Video, 00:00:41, Watch Kate beat William in spin class endurance race, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. Your email address will not be published. Only by comparing D.N.A. Now cutting-edge forensics to rival any TV thriller have identified her killers DNA, Unsolved: The Little Red Riding Hood murder, Muriel Drinkwater murder file is declared secret at request of police, The Disappearance of Audrey Moran and Jonathan Reynoso. He described the search for the clothes that had been taken from the crime scene. [7], The next day, Drinkwater's body was found in the woods by a police inspector. On this occasion he was rude to me claiming that he knew nothing about any information sent to South Wales Police from D.C. Paul Rogers. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM. Photo added by Graceti. The police found the murder weapon in the undergrowth near where Muriels body had been discovered. "I was about nine at the time and he was about twice my age, but I felt, at nine, that I was his intellectual superior," he said. Click here to hear the Audio File of this case. left on the coat was compared to D.N.A. However, a lack of hard evidence would later see him freed. "Each case is reviewed periodically. 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Video, 00:00:42Dog found alive after 23 days under rubble, Watch Kate beat William in spin class endurance race. Hi Neil. But he was later released and served in World War II before his military career ended in 1946. [8] A description of a person of interest was circulated; he was described as approximately 30 years old, with "thick fluffy hair and wearing brown corduroy trousers and a light brown sports jacket. Regards. Something went wrong, please try again later. Photo added by Tracey. 'All historic murder cases, often referred to in the media as 'cold cases,' are allocated to the Specialist Crime Review Unit and remain under active consideration and will be subject of re-investigation as and when new information is received or when there are advances in forensic science. 74 years ago, Muriel Drinkwater was murdered. I am awaiting D.N.A tests to be carried out on Harold Jones family members. Now, a team of former detectives and crime experts have re-investigated the case, dubbed the 'Little Red Riding Hood murder', and have uncovered a new prime suspect. Why? Martin well remembers a young girl who was "always full of life" and would always be skipping and singing. Published: 08:03 EST, 1 May 2019 | Updated: 13:00 EST, 1 May 2019. If information comes in from the public or other forces we act on it. Brutally beaten, raped and shot twice, the discovery of Swansea schoolgirl Muriel Drinkwater 's body in 1946 horrified an entire community. Martyn Lloyd-Evans again regarding the letter from D.C.Paul Rogers. Positive reviews really help others find our show. It was believed the victim's clothes had been lost. It blighted my life. For Hoyles, and no doubt numerous other people in Penllergaer,every dollar spent bringing Muriels killer one step closer to justice has been a dollar well spent. Follow. Nevertheless, local legend tells of how, after leaving prison, he'd return to his parents' house in Abertillery from time to time, where the sound of him playing the organ in their front room would haunt the terraced streets. The police have DNA but keep any results they may have a closely guarded secret. Although the decision was made immediately it took nearly 7 weeks until 16 August 2021 to get a formal decision. Forensic scientist Dr Colin Dark said that the stain had been found on the lower flap of Muriel's coat. . Is it possible that scientists could examine Muriels coat and find another profile that could be compared to Jones daughters D.N.A.? Drinkwater, a 12-year-old schoolgirl, was raped and shot in the woods in Penllergaer, Swansea. If true, it could have placed him in the area at the time of Muriel's murder. "(The murder) turned our family upside down and has been talked about through the generations. Advertisement. He stated he had long been suspected by some locals of being the murderer and was happy to clear his name. [4], More than 3,000 mourners attended Drinkwater's funeral on 2 July. Jones was only 15 when he killed eight-year-old Freda Burnell, who'd been sent by her father to buy bird seed from the store where Jones was working. And the truth will never be known. Video, 00:01:18Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story, One-minute World News. Moments before being brutally attacked, 12-year-old Muriel Drinkwater had waved to her mother, who stood at the kitchen window, as she made her way home from Gowerton High School along the long path that led to the family home. Two months too young to face the gallows, he was sent to Usk Prison where he sensationally confessed to the first killing, blaming the voice of a 'demon' in his head. Police are closer than ever to finding her killer. Who killed 'Little Red Riding Hood'? They also announced in May 2019 that Abertillery double child killer Harold Jones had also been cleared of Muriels murder. In 1946, 12-year-old Muriel Drinkwater was murdered in the woods of Swansea, Wales. He said, ``She was regularly seen walking, skipping and singing in the woods as she made her way each day from her home to the . Advertisement. The gun was described as aColt 45 American army issue automatic pistol, first issued for World War I but probably also used in World War II, which significantly had the original wooden stocks next to the grip modernised with perspex.. Would a nephew definitely suffice to prove a link to Harol Jones and the crime scene stain on Muriels coat. "It does make you think that Muriel Drinkwater (who passed her 11-Plus to get into grammar school) is the sort of girl he would have been interested in. The crime scene is a short distance from the farmhouse. 2023 BBC. Then for 3 years he was registered at Colinette Road Putney as Harry Stevens. However, in 2008, a team of retired detectives investigating cold cases found Drinkwater's clothes in storage. . "Looking through the paper work, we could see the materials had left the crime scene, where it had gone, where it had been examined. Due to advances in forensic technology, we have been able to look again at evidence from the murder in 1946 and I am now able to rule out Harold Jones completely as a suspect in this case.. He is very clearly interested in the fact that she is young, that she is a schoolgirl, and also that she is very clever. Her body was eventually found in a nearby lane, but it was the discovery of her handkerchief in the shops shed which saw Jones accused and stand trial for her death. DNA was taken from the relatives of both Muriel and Ronnie Harries but the results have not been made public. Muriel Drinkwater was laying on her back, one arm outstretched by her side and the other slightly raised. Video, 00:01:00View from the cockpit of a Ukraine combat helicopter. Its amazing the documentary could screw things up so much. It was the 75th anniversary this year, and still we are no nearer to finding her killer. Sometime later that afternoon, Muriels mother Margaret glanced out of her kitchen window and noticed Muriel approaching their property from approximately 400 yards away. with South Wales Police has recently conceded that it CANNOT be categorically stated that Harold Jones has been ruled out completely as Muriels killer. I received the following letter from D.C. Paul Rogers on 6 December 2007. It doesnt take much working out who the unnamed source with South Wales Police was! "We realise whoever did this might be dead, but if he is alive and in his 80s or even 90s we would like to see him behind bars," said Muriel's great-niece Claire Phillips, speaking about developments last October. On June 27, 1946, 12-year-old Muriel Drinkwater made her way home from school in Penllergaer, Swansea (UK). In 2008, a DNA profile of the suspect . We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Thank you Christine. I have a special interest in this case as I too was brought up in Penllergaer. Also, it was near a Japanese plantation and the workers may have possibly assaulted her and the cigarette butts, bread and sweet wrappers may have come from the plantation. Video, 00:00:36, Tears of relief after man found in Amazon jungle, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. Her parents Harold and Muriel Jones/Stevens kept a lot of secrets from this daughter one of which may be that she wasnt Harolds daughter. Why on earth would the police continue to stonewall after all these decades? There is no doubt about that.". Jones was released from prison in December of 1941, so he was a free man when Muriel was killed. We know 100% that it is the killer's stain. Oftentimes the public wonders why resources should be allocated to cold cases such as Muriels, cases in which most of victims immediate family, and even the perpetrator, are likely dead. 'Due to advances in forensic technology we have been able to look again at evidence from the murder in 1946 and I am now able to rule out Harold Jones completely as a suspect in this case. She disappeared around the bend into some more dense undergrowth. Her mother seen her approaching 400 yards away, so perhaps she was a selected victim. The killer was dubbed Jack The Stripper because of the way he left his victims. "She lost sight of her for a few moments. Who killed 'Little Red Riding Hood'? Just before his execution, Harries gave an extraordinary interview to the tabloid press from his jail cell. The Photo Request has been fulfilled. The True Crime Files is dedicated to all things #TrueCrime. Like you I hope there is justice one day for Muriel but sadly as more and more time passes I worry that becomes less likely. It was tracked down to a store room, in a current police station, in a very dark corner. She goes to grammar school. ", "Groundbreaking DNA test rules out childkiller in unsolved murder", 74 years ago, Muriel Drinkwater was murdered. Although the profile was loaded into the UK National DNA Database, it failed to match any of the approximately five million DNA records held there. Muriel Drinkwater lived on a farm known at Tyle-Du at Penllergaer and attended Penllergaer Grammar School. 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