Suzy Lamplugh: A death untold

Published on August 3, 2011 by The Editor · No Comments

Lynn Tulloch reflects sadly on the unsolved death of Suzy Lamplugh

IN 1986 MY CAR was just a year old. I was sitting my ‘O’ Grades, though I am sure no one remembers those now

The Kipper lead
It was also the year that Suzy Lamplugh went missing. Sadly she has never been found and was declared dead, presumed murdered in 1994.

The last known whereabouts of Suzy was 37 Shorrolds Road, Fulham in South West London, where she was due to show a £130,000 house to a client.

All the unknown bodies
This is where Suzy was due to meet a man called ‘Mr Kipper’. Whatever happened next has remained a mystery for 25 years.

Since then the police have DNA tested over 800 unidentified bodies and remains that matched Suzy’s description but no match has been found.

The frightening fact
That fact is frightening enough; I find it horrible to think that there have been so many unnamed dead people, never mind ones that resemble a 25 year old brunette

There have been many witnesses that have come forward and supplied information, so it isn’t a case of no one seeing anything. The police have simply never been able to identify who was responsible.

Suffolk strangler
There have been several suspects in the picture from John Cannan (who had the nickname Kipper, previous form for rape and abduction and was released from Wormwood Scrubs 3 days before Suzy’s disappearance).

Steve Wright, the serial killer (not the DJ) known as ‘The Suffolk Strangler’ looks possible as a likely candidate, also as he actually worked with Suzy at one point.

All suspects, but no evidence
Then of course there is Michael Sams. He is currently imprisoned for the kidnapping and rape of Stephanie Slater and the murder of Julie Dart.

All suspects at one time or other but no evidence.

Agony of the parents
There can be nothing good that comes out a story like this. There are so many loose ends and unknown facts that it is heart breaking. Not only to have your daughter disappear, but not know what happened or indeed where she lies now.

The only positive thing to come out of this tragedy is the Suzy Lamplugh Trust. Her parents Diana and Paul founded this in order to highlight risks and provide solutions so we can all lead safer lives.

An example of the Trust’s invaluable work…