Forensic review launched into death of spy

A FORENSIC review into the death of an MI6 spy from Wales who was found locked in a bag has been launched.

Metropolitan Police officers confirmed they were looking at new information about the death of Gareth Williams, who was found in a red North Face holdall in his flat in central London back in 2010, North Wales Live reports.

Mr Williams, 31, from Valley in Anglesey, was found naked inside the bag, with the zips padlocked on the outside, and the key inside with his body.

Met Police concluded the GCHQ codebreaker’s death was “probably an accident” and closed the case in 2013. But his family suspect he was murdered and a coroner said he was probably unlawfully killed.

After potential new forensic leads in the case were raised, and reported in the Sunday Times, police confirmed they would look at this new information and see if a “forensic review” should take place. That review is now happening, the force confirmed.

A spokesman said: “There is an established review process for investigations whereby new information and/or forensic opportunities are considered. The Met is currently undertaking a forensic review to assess whether there are any new investigative opportunities in this case.

“We remain in close contact with Gareth’s family to ensure they are fully supported.”

At the time of his death, forensic scientists believed a strand of hair found on his hand belonged to someone else, but were unable to extract a DNA profile from it. However, due to technical advances, a leading scientist, Professor Angela Gallop, who founded the laboratory that carried out the testing in the case, said that 2mm of hair could now be of use to investigators.

The detective who led the initial inquiry, Hamish Campbell, has also said that partial DNA found on the bag belonging to two unidentified people was worth reviewing. Police also found DNA of an unknown person on a green towel in Mr Williams’s flat.

Earlier this month, Mr Campbell told the Sunday Times he suspected the death was linked to Mr Williams’ private life, which included an interest in bondage.