Maniac’s sinister files
MURDER cops feared Simon Cowell was a potential target of a ruthless killer.
The X Factor boss was on a list of stars including Kate Moss and Anthea Tur ner who were researched by savage Michael Danaher.
The father of two boys was jailed for a minimum of 34 years for slaying bookseller Adrian Greenwood, inset.
He went to Mr Greenwood’s home in Oxford to steal a rare first edition of The Wind In The Willows worth £50,000.
Danaher’s ex-wife Elaine said: “It’s like Michael’s got two personalities and this one I’ve never seen. I feel that the whole marriage was a lie.”
She added: “This is going to be with the boys for the rest of their lives. The hardest part was telling them their dad was going to be in prison until he’s about 85.”
Detectives have revealed Danaher, of Peterborough, had drawn up a hitlist of targets he planned to rob or hold to ransom by snatching a family member.
Speaking ahead of a TV documentary about the case tonight, Det Supt Kevin Brown said: “Everyone on his list was spoken to. A lot already had private security measures, but we wanted to make sure their own personal safety was in a good position.” Cowell, 57, was linked to Danaher’s sinister computer searches just months after being shaken by an unrelated burglary at his home. Intruder Darren February broke in while the star’s family were sleeping. Danaher’s files also showed he was targeting model Kate Moss and author Jeffrey Archer. A floor plan of telly presenter Anthea Turner’s home was also found on his laptop. Last night Cowell declined to comment. After tonight’s broadcast viewers can ask police questions on Twitter using hashtag #catchingakillerQandA. ¬
Catching A Killer: The Wind In The Willows Murder is on Channel 4 at 9pm tonight.