Man accused of double murder after 33 years
A MAN has appeared in court charged with murdering two women 33 years ago following a cold case investigation.
David Fuller, 66, appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court yesterday, where he was charged with the murders of Wendy Knell and Caroline Pierce in Kent in 1987.
Both victims were in their 20s and were sexually assaulted, beaten and strangled. They were found dead and their keys were missing, in cases just months apart that became known as the “Bedsit Murders”.
Shop manager Wendy, 25, was found sexually assaulted and beaten to death in her ground-floor bedsit in Guildford Road, Tunbridge Wells, on June 23, 1987, after failing to turn up for work.
The court heard the cause of death was compression of the neck and a haemorrhage. There was no sign of forced entry and police believe the killer broke in through a faulty back window.
Wendy’s diary and keys with a distinctive Austrian keyring went missing and were never found.
Prosecutor Nesisa Ndhlovu said: “This matter involves a double murder.
“The first victim is a Miss Wendy Knell, who would have been 25 at the time, and the second is one Ms Caroline Pierce who would have been aged 20.
“In the early hours of June 23, 1987, Wendy Knell was murdered in her groundfloor bedsit flat.
“She suffered injuries and the cause of death that was given was compression of the neck and haemorrhage.”
Caroline, also from Tunbridge Wells, was attacked five months later outside her home in Grosvenor Park.
She had last been seen at about midnight on November 24 when she was dropped off by a taxi at her home.
Screams were heard outside the house and her body was found by a farm worker in a drainage ditch 40 miles away on Romney Marsh on December 15. Ms Pierce’s cause of death was strangulation and head injury, the court heard.
Fuller, from Heathfield, East Sussex, was dressed in a grey jumper, white T-shirt and grey trousers and spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth during a brief hearing. He entered no pleas to the charges and was remanded in custody ahead of an appearance at Maidstone Crown Court on Tuesday.
Assistant Chief Constable
Tracey
Harman, of Kent Police, said: “Whilst more than three decades have passed since these murders took place, I would urge anyone who has any information, no matter how minor or insignificant it may appear to be, to contact us.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Kent Police, either online at kent.police.uk or by calling 01622 652 006, quoting case reference 46/YY/ 16746/20.
Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.