The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Police to dig up garden Search intensifies at house once owned by suspect’s mother
Police officers investigating the 32-year mystery of estate agent Suzy Lamplugh’s murder are preparing to excavate the garden of a home that was previously owned by the prime suspect’s mother.
Miss Lamplugh was declared dead, presumed murdered, after being reported missing, aged 25, in 1986, having left her west London offices to meet a mystery client known only as Mr Kipper.
The Metropolitan Police were leading the search at a Birmingham house previously belonging to John Cannan’s mother.
The convicted killer, who is currently in jail for rape and murder, was named as the prime suspect by police in 2002 and her death has remained one of the UK’s most notorious cold cases.
The current homeowner Phillip Carey, an Insurance marketer, said he purchased the home in Shipton Road, Sutton Coldfield, from Sheila Cannan in 1992.
“We bought the house 26 years ago, from the suspected person’s mother, Sheila,” the 52-year-old said.
“We knew who she was, we became aware who she was as we went through the relationship, and obviously it was high profile at the time.”
It is not the first time police have been at the family home, the fatherof-two said, with officers visiting the garden over several months about 15 years ago before returning on Monday.
They did not dismantle, dig or remove anything during searches, as far as Mr Carey was aware.
Jim Dickie, the detective superintendent leading the investigation between 2000 and 2006, confirmed his officers did not dig or perform an “extensive” search of the home.
“We had no evidence or intelligence to lead us to believe that John Cannan may have secreted Suzy’s body there,” he said.
At the scene, specialist forensics scientists from the private company Alecto arrived carrying equipment throughout the morning.
What sounded like an angle grinder was used in the garden, with dust billowing over the adjacent alleyway.
A blue tent was erected over what is believed to be a former garage in the rear garden of the property, the roof of which is just visible beyond the police cordon.
The Met stressed that the current occupants of the property are in no way connected to the investigation.
Cannan, who was jailed for life in 1989 for the rape and murder of Bristol newlywed Shirley Banks, was named as the prime suspect by police in 2002.
Miss Lamplugh leaves her estate agency office in Fulham, at 12.40pm to meet a client called Mr Kipper.
At 10pm, her car is discovered. A police hunt is launched.
December 1986: The Suzy Lamplugh Trust is set up by Suzy’s parents, Paul and Diana Lamplugh.
April 1989: John Cannan is jailed for life for the murder of Shirley Banks in Bristol.
He is also sentenced for a rape and attempted kidnap.
February 1994: Miss Lamplugh is officially declared dead, presumed murdered.
December 4 2000: Cannan is questioned in prison in connection with the kidnap and murder of Miss Lamplugh.
No charges are brought.
August 18 2011: Mrs Lamplugh dies, aged 75.
June 12 2018: Mr Lamplugh dies, aged 87.