SKULL CLUE TO 2012 MURDER CASE
PARTNER AND EX-BOYFRIEND JAILED AFTER DISCOVERY OF HEADLESS BODY
POLICE think they may have found the skull of a man who was murdered eight years ago.
Kevin Kennedy’s headless and limbless body was found in Sneinton, Nottingham, in 2012. His partner’s ex-boyfriend, Peter Healy, was convicted of murder the following year.
Tara Swift, a former partner of Healy, of West Street, Leicester, was also jailed after allowing the corpse to be stored at her home.
Nottinghamshire Police carried out a search for Mr Kennedy’s head and limbs but found nothing.
But now workers in Rossington Road, Sneinton – where the torso was discovered on August 8, 2012 – have stumbled upon a skull. Officers are now investigating whether it is Mr Kennedy’s.
Mr Kennedy, 50, was killed about three weeks before his body was found, in a shallow grave.
Healy, then 51, of Lord Nelson Street in Sneinton, admitted to a friend he had killed a man in a fight at a home in Rossington Road – and was convicted of his murder and jailed for at least 21 years.
Swift, then 41, denied murder and was found not guilty after the jury found no evidence she had participated in the dismemberment, decapitation or burial of Mr Kennedy.
However, both Swift and Healy were found guilty of perverting the course of justice after giving police statements suggesting Kennedy escaped through a window, seriously injured.
During sentencing, Mr Justice Flaux said Swift “continued to maintain the lie” of the escape, encouraged Healy to get the body out of her house and failed to inform the police about the incident.
Swift was jailed for two-and-a-half years for the offence.
Detective Inspector Steve Wragg, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Our investigations are still in their early stages and we remain open-minded as to whether these suspected human remains may be linked to any historic cases.
“It is now essential we complete a detailed and thorough wider search of the area to establish if any further remains are present.
“Specialist DNA and dental tests will be carried out on the bones.”
Giving a statement to the court following the sentencing, Mr Kennedy’s family said: “We are all aware Kevin was no angel but he did not deserve to die like this.
“To compound this, Peter Healy and Tara Swift haven’t shown the slightest bit of remorse for their actions.”
Residents of Rossington Road have expressed shock at the discovery.
Jason Huchins, 33, said: “I feel sorry for the workmen who found that – it must have been horrific.”
Jon Langhen, 34, who was visiting a friend in the street, said: “I guess it is a good thing they have found his body, if it is the person they think it is.
“So it’s definitely good news for the family, they might get some closure.
“This is not something you expect so close to home.”