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Hilda Murrell (1)

01 January 1991

Hilda Murrell
artdoc June=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.

Statewatch Vol 4 no 2, March-April 1994