TEN years on from the brutal murder of a man at his Brentwood home, his family and detectives continue to search for answers.
John Palmer, 65, was at his home in Sandpit Lane in South Weald, Brentwood on Wednesday 24 June 2015, when he was murdered.
The father, and now grandfather, was burning rubbish in the garden of his home. At around 5.30pm it is believed the killer entered the garden over the fence and shot Mr Palmer six times.
A mortally wounded Mr Palmer managed to walk a short distance towards his house before collapsing. He was then discovered by relatives who called for help. Mr Palmer died from his injuries.
A hole found in the garden fence of Mr Palmer’s rural home suggests the killer may have been watching him in the days leading up to his death.
In the decade since his murder, detectives have explored hundreds of lines of enquiry, examined thousands of pieces of evidence and explored Mr Palmer’s history and associations in the UK and abroad.
Despite this, Mr Palmer’s killer remains at large.
Now, on the tenth anniversary of the murder, detectives have renewed their appeal for information.
Det Supt Stephen Jennings of the Essex & Kent Serious Crime Directorate said: “Ten years on from John’s death and the pain has not gone away for his family.
“They still rightly want answers as to who murdered him and why.
“His killing was a brutal, planned execution – he was shot multiple times in the grounds of his own home.
“Over the years there has been much commentary, media coverage and even television programmes speculating about his connections to the underworld, high profile crimes and his past – but whatever someone’s past John was a father, partner and much-loved by his family. His murder was callous and calculated.”
In the weeks prior to his death in 2015, Mr Palmer and ten others were charged with various offences in relation to a real estate fraud in Tenerife.
That trial concluded in the years after his death and several of those involved were found guilty and sentenced.
Det Supt Jennings added: “We know the key to solving John’s murder lies within the underworld and we have always suspected it may have been linked to the fraud trial.
“In the years since his death a lot has changed within the criminal fraternity, including loyalties, and people may now feel able to come forward.
“If you do have information please, now, do the right thing, ten years on John’s family must have justice and answers.”
If you have information about the murder of John Palmer call Essex Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use their
anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org.
