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Hilda Murrell

01 March 1994

A decade after the murder of anti-nuclear campaigner and horticulturalist, Hilda Murrell, a new investigation by West Mercia police has confirmed the results of the original inquiry by reasserting that she was killed by a burglar.

Ms Murrell, who was 78, was killed after finding an intruder at her home; she was abducted and driven to the country where she was stabbed and left for dead, eventually dying from exposure. At the time, questions were asked as to why a burglar would take her from her house in broad daylight rather than dealing with the situation at her house.

Ms Murrell was planning to speak at the Sizewell nuclear plant inquiry and was active in protesting at plans to build the proposed power station. The security services had engaged detective agencies to gather information about the protesters. At least one private detective subcontracted some of the work to professional criminals, including a notorious fascist and convicted child-molester.

At the end of February West Mercia Assistant Chief Constable, David Thursfield, dismissed any "sinister" motive for the crime, arguing that there was no evidence to support speculation. A month later in an extremely unusual move the West Mercia police announced that they were offering a £10,000 reward for information which solves her murder. The West Mercia investigation does little to allay ongoing suspicions concerning the death of Hilda Murrell.

See Gary Murray's book Enemies of the State 1993; Guardian 26.2.94; 22.3.94.