In the days and weeks that followed Muriel's murder, police officers visited every farmhouse and cottage within 150 square miles, along with interviewing 20,000 men in Swansea, Aberdare and Carmarthenshire. D.S. It is one of the oldest active cold cases in the United Kingdom. A team of crime experts have re-investigated the brutal killing 74 years ago and uncovered what they believe to be firm new leads in the search for who killed her, Get the latest court and crime news from WalesOnline. There are, of course, other theories regarding who was lying in wait on that fateful day. "It does make you think that Muriel Drinkwater (who passed her 11-Plus to get into grammar school) is the sort of girl he would have been interested in. Both girls were murdered in woods within a half mile of their homes. Accountant Graham Wildin built an incredible 10,000sq/ft leisure complex - which has a bowling alley, casino, a cinema and more - at the back of his home. Regards. This post deals with sexual assault and might be triggering for some readers. The authorities went as far as to suggest that someone in the Penllergaer region knows about the murder weapon but is protecting the owner by withholding information. "[4] Police also circulated photos of the United States Army-issued gun; notably, perspex had been used to modernise the original wooden stocks next to the grip. will do what you suggest. Click hereto hear the Audio File of this case. During the course of the investigation the finger of blame had sometimes been pointed at Muriel's father, John. programme called Crime Secrets presented by H.T.Vs Jonathan Hill. Just put my name in Facebook bar. The perpetrator left cigarette stubs, sweet wrappers, and pieces of bread at the scene of the crime, which the authorities have said indicates that he was waiting in the dense woods for his chance to strike. [6] On 27 June 1946, Muriel took the school bus home from Gowerton Grammar School. Police confirmed a cold case review on the stain found on Muriel's coat in 1946 had now been tested by forensics teams. Those who have not failed may not have succeeded. Thomas was born on July 22 1880, in South Thomaston Knox Maine. Hi Neil. The True Crime Files But they said the results now ruled out Jones as a suspect in her murder. Twelve-year-old Muriel Drinkwater was a choirgirl who dreamed of being a schoolteacher. Great questions! This was a big news story at the time. We could see it [had been] in a police station, but as it closed, where did it go next? On 29 August 2021, I sent the following email to Freedom Of Information at South Wales Police. It became known as the Little Red Riding Hood murder - but who killed Muriel Drinkwater? There must be other victims of this person as I cant see him stopping. In fact, it was recently used to identifyJoseph James DeAngelo, the suspected Golden State Killer who is thought to be responsible for at least a dozen murders and 50 rapes in the 1970s and 1980s in the United States. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. She had been attacked on the lane and then she was dragged to where the body was left.". South Wales Police said: "All historic murder cases, often referred to in the media as cold cases, are allocated to the Specialist Crime Review Unit and remain under active consideration and will be subject of re-investigation as and when new information is received or when there are advances in forensic science. I informed D.C.I. Who killed 'Little Red Riding Hood'? Your email address will not be published. true crime. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. Nevertheless, the FBI was called in to assist with determining the ownership of the murder weapon, but nothing seems to have ever transpired from this lead. The reason given for sealing the files was that it could help the police catch the perpetrator. On 30 March 2010 the Times Online quoted an unnamed police source with South Wales Police as saying: We have a real problem with amateur sleuths in this area. Updated: August 30, 2013 . Due to advances in forensic technology, we have been able to look again at evidence from the murder in 1946 and I am now able to rule out Harold Jones completely as a suspect in this case.. The Welsh policehave also examined connections between Muriels case and a second murder that occurred a mere ten days after she was killed. The True Crime Files is dedicated to all things #TrueCrime. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. "Due to advances in forensic technology we have been able to look again at evidence from the murder in 1946 and I am now able to rule him out completely as a suspect in this case. Welsh author Neil Milkinsargues that Harold Jones,a convicted murderer who killed two girls in Abertillery in 1921 when he was just 15 years old, was Muriels killer. I was made aware the following day that my request would NOT be granted. Muriel Drinkwater was laying on her back, one arm outstretched by her side and the other slightly raised. Up Next. Thank you Christine. Hi Neil. Or was she just in the wrong place at the wrong time? I am in regular contact with a niece of Muriel Drinkwater who has told me that members of her family gave South Wales Police samples of their D.N.A.. Find records of Muriel Drinkwater . In mid 2007, I had extensive contact with Detective Constable Paul Rogers of the London Metropolitan Police. [12][13], For more than a decade, Welsh true crime author Neil Milkins theorised that notorious child murderer Harold Jones (19061971) was responsible for the murders of both Martin and Drinkwater. I then appealed that decision and was shocked to be told that the information I requested had been eaten by vermin or had been damaged owing to a leaking roof. Video, 00:01:00View from the cockpit of a Ukraine combat helicopter. Twelve-year-old Muriel Drinkwater was a choirgirl who dreamed of being a schoolteacher. Over 20,000 men were interviewed about the crime . The 12 year old loved to sing and there was a skip in her step as she started on the winding path through the forest. "My grandparents changed completely. The murder of Muriel Drinkwater is an unsolved 1946 child murder case from Wales. The detectives in the programme got a breakthrough when they were able to track down Muriel's relative Martin Phillips, who had been six at the time of the murder. And we appreciate your dogged determination to get to the bottom of what happened. I am leaning towards it being a targeted attack, in part because of the positioning of the perpetrator as you mentioned. Her mother Margaret watched from the house as the youngest of. But in 2003, when the case was reopened for review, forensics experts found a semen stain found on Muriel's coat. There is little doubt that Muriels murderer was lying in wait, just counting the minutes until he could commit his heinous crime. Muriels nieces family took the books to the bookshop after Muriels brother-in-law died last year. Video, 00:02:36, Up Next. But Muriel, who was known locally as 'The Little Nightingale' because of her beautiful singing voice, never made it home. Now, a team of former detectives and crime experts have re-investigated the case, dubbed the 'Little Red Riding Hood murder', and have uncovered a new prime suspect. They visited the Carmarthen bookshop to identify if the killers family had taken the books there. Advertisement. The new B.B.C. Muriel was murdered 16 years before I was born, but it was a story I had heard from a young age. "(The murder) turned our family upside down and has been talked about through the generations. "If information comes in from the public or other forces we act on it.". left on the coat was compared to D.N.A. However, the BBC documentary Darklands shown in November 2020 identified Ronald Harries who murdered his aunt and uncle as Muriels killer, and a cousin of Harries was shown in the documentary and was expected to give DNA to prove or disprove the theory.. Its amazing the documentary could screw things up so much. She was last seen at 2:30 p.m., singing as she headed for the one-mile walk to her family's home, Tyle-Du Farm. Will do Christine. I guess a DNA test of Sheila Martin must have been taken to see if it was the same person. I suggest reaching out to a DNA expert and seeing what insight they might be able to provide. sample from Harold Jones daughter. Jones D.N.A was not compared to the D.N.A left on Muriels coat by the killer. Muriel Drinkwater lived on a farm known at Tyle-Du at Penllergaer and attended Penllergaer Grammar School. On June 27, 1946, 12-year-old Muriel made her way home from school in Penllergaer, Swansea (UK). I agree with the killer being male and the suggested age range. SOUTH Wales Police's Specialist Crime Review Unit has been investigating the murder of 12 year-old Muriel Drinkwater whose body was found in Penllergaer Woods, Swansea in 1946. Photo added by Tracey. Why on earth would the police continue to stonewall after all these decades? A US Army Colt .45 service revolver was used to shoot Muriel Drinkwater, 12, in the chest, after her killer had beaten and raped her. Does his daughter have a son.? http://www.tcbmediarights.com/screeners/dark_son.html. 12 year old Muriel Drinkwater had only a mile to travel from the South Wales village of Penllergaer to the farm she lived on with her family. He could possibly be a rival farmer and or business owner, we can tell the Drinkwaters run a business due to the fact that Hoyles bought eggs from Margaret Drinkwater, near to the death of Muriel Drinkwater. Your work keeps this case alive and I hope it will one day reveal the true identity of Muriels killer. "I found the original clothing," he said. Thank you once again and I wish you every success with your forthcoming publication. Martyn Lloyd-Evans again regarding the letter from D.C.Paul Rogers. In 1946, 12-year-old Muriel Drinkwater was murdered in the woods of Swansea, Wales. Sorry I doubled up on some of the above but cant edit it. She was pulled from that path into the woodland beside it, attacked and murdered amongst the undergrowth of Penllergaer Woods, near Swansea, just yards from safety. ~ Christine. Police believed 12-year-old Muriel Drinkwater (left) might have been a victim of a notorious serial killer Harold Jones when she was raped and murdered in 1946. [15] There is evidence that Harries was employed by Drinkwater's father, John, at the time of her death. 'All historic murder cases, often referred to in the media as 'cold cases,' are allocated to the Specialist Crime Review Unit and remain under active consideration and will be subject of re-investigation as and when new information is received or when there are advances in forensic science. 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