Police outfoxed by ‘Croydon cat killer’

IT WAS one of the more puzzling murder mysteries of the past decade, in which fearful experts described a serial pet killer who may have been poised to move on to humans next.

The killer, apparently intent on murdering family pets, left the headless remains of more than 400 cats near the homes of the stricken owners – seemingly to torment them.

However, after three years of investigation, the case of the “Croydon cat killer” has finally been closed. Police yesterday said the majority of the cats suspected to be victims of the “serial killer” were hit by cars before having their heads or tails removed by scavenging foxes.

Although police refused to disclose how much money was spent on the case, it was revealed last year that 10 cat autopsies cost £7,500.

Scotland Yard announced that there was no evidence of human involvement, after a leading veterinarian reviewed six autopsies. Dr Henny Martineau, head of veterinary forensic pathology at the Royal Veterinary College, had previously said the animals had died of “suspicious” blunt force trauma, but she has now revised these claims after finding fox DNA on five of the corpses, and previously undiscovered puncture wounds.

In three instances where CCTV was obtained, footage showed foxes carrying bodies or body parts of cats.

The Metropolitan Police explained: “Officers working alongside experts have concluded that hundreds of reported cat mutilations in Croydon and elsewhere were not carried out by a human and are likely to be the result of predation or scavenging by wildlife.”

The legend of the Croydon cat killer spread internationally, as police warned he could be practising to kill humans. Det Sgt Andy Collin told a BBC television programme last year: “There is a known link between serial killers and harming animals.

“The concern is they will … escalate the attacks to humans, specifically vulnerable women and girls.”