Please find below a press release issued by the police at 10pm on Tue 27 Jan 2004.  The police have asked if anybody thinks they might have any information to telephone them on 01707 354236 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

DETECTIVES TAKE APPEAL TO BBC’S CRIMEWATCH

DETECTIVES investigating the brutal murder of 83-year-old retired Lieutenant Colonel Robert Workman in Furneux Pelham in Hertfordshire on Wednesday, January 7 are taking their appeal for information to BBC’s Crimewatch tonight (January 27).

(Similar kind of ammunition - click to enlarge)

“We are hoping that by releasing the specific type of ammunition used to kill Mr Workman we will prompt anyone who may have a friend, colleague or family member who has been acting strangely since the murder took place and who has access to this type of shotgun cartridge to come forward,” said Richard.

“It is a type of ammunition normally used by a landowner or gamekeeper for the destruction of larger animals like deer, and sometimes it’s actually referred to as Buck shot,” continued Richard. “There are several manufacturers and importers but it’s not commonly used and none of this specific type of cartridge are sold locally. The nearest stockist that we have traced to date is in Barnet.”

Officers have also released new photographs of Riley when he was aged 46, 57 and 67 in the hope that somebody may recognise him and come forward with any information they may have which could help detectives piece together a motive for his death.

Photographs of Lt Col Workman (click to enlarge)

“By releasing the photographs of Riley at various stages of his adult life we are hoping that it may jog someone’s memory and that they may be able to assist in our understanding of why he was murdered,” said Richard

Crimewatch will also play the audio of a 999 call made to ambulance control the morning after Riley’s murder in the hope that the caller or anyone who recognises their voice will come forward. Previous appeals have failed to give detectives the vital information they need to identify the voice which asks for an ambulance to be sent to Riley’s address.

“I would again appeal to the person who made that early morning call to the ambulance service or anyone who can identify that caller to please contact us,” said Richard. “We need to find out why they made that call nearly nine hours after Riley was shot.”

Anyone wishing to listen to the 999 call can ring 01707 354400 and choose option 1 or (Click Here to listen online and read the transcript)

“We have had a good response from members of the public so far and the residents of Furneux Pelham in particular have been extremely co-operative,” said Richard. “I believe that someone, somewhere knows who is responsible for Riley’s death. The information regarding the type of shotgun cartridge used may be additionally relevant and rather than harbour those suspicions and concerns please pick up the phone and call us.”

Richard said: “We are trying to apprehend a determined and deliberate murderer of an apparently “saintly old gentleman” and I can guarantee that all calls will be handled with genuine sensitivity and discretion.”