Family criticise murder probe
Detectives probing the murder of a Scots woman 32 years ago have been slammed over their handling of the case.
Mum-of-two Ann Heron, 44, from Glasgow, was killed in August 1990 as she sunbathed in the garden of her home near Darlington, County Durham. Her haulage contractor husband Peter was arrested for her murder in 2005 but charges were later dropped.
The Heron family are critical of Durham Police’s inquiry and its focus on Peter, now 87.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct last week ordered the force to investigate the family’s complaints.
A documentary – The Mysterious Murder of Ann Heron – will be screened on Channel 5 at 10pm on Tuesday. It highlights concerns over the police’s handling of the case.
Private investigator Jen Jarvie identified a potential suspect who has since died and passed her file on to detectives in 2016.
She said: “Durham police focused on Peter Heron to the detriment of the murder investigation.
“There are other people they should be looking at.”
Part-time carer Ann was found in a pool of blood in the lounge of her home.
Her bikini bottoms had been removed and her throat slashed. Witnesses described seeing a man driving a blue saloon car away from the property at high speed.
Peter, who was Ann’s second husband, arrived home an hour later and discovered her body.
Durham Constabulary said they had been asked to investigate a complaint by the Heron family.
A spokesperson said:
“It is still the ambition of Durham Constabulary to convict the person responsible for Ann’s murder. At this time there is no new evidence that identifies new suspects but we remain open-minded.”