POLICE have issued a fresh appeal for information over the murder of Solihull gangster John ‘Goldfinger’ Palmer.
The 65-year-old, who was born in Solihull, was was killed in his Brentwood, Essex home on June 24, 2015.
Members of a timeshare scam in which Mr Palmer was involved were jailed after a trial in Spain last week.
Essex Police hope some of those involved in Mr Palmer’s activities will now come forward.
It was first thought Mr Palmer died of natural causes after being shot in the chest at his home on Sandpits Lane in South Weald, before a post-mortem examination revealed his injuries.
Senior investigating officer Det Supt Stephen Jennings of the Kent and Essex serious crime directorate said: “We know that Mr Palmer has always been the subject of scrutiny and speculation, both in the underworld and media, in relation to his connection to organised criminals; specific high profile crimes; that he was a police informant; and that charges brought against him in Spain were about to be dropped.
“However in the last year there have been significant developments and events within the criminal underworld that may now mean people who have information may feel able to come forward.
“The fraud trial in Spain has now concluded. There is always nervousness within the underworld when a trial is looming. Now that it has concluded people may feel they can talk to us.
“At the time of Mr Palmer’s death speculation was also rife that he may have been a key figure in the Hatton Garden safety deposit burglary, which happened two months before he died. However criminal matters in relation to that offence have now concluded and there is nothing to suggest he was involved.
“We know that the key to solving Mr Palmer’s murder lies within the underworld. Loyalties do change and people may now feel able to come forward.
“Despite Mr Palmer’s past, despite the rumour and conjecture about his criminality and associations, he remains a man – a father and partner – who was murdered in cold blood at his own home.
“We police without fear or favour and we will continue to do all we can to bring his killer or killers to justice.”
Mr Palmer was burning rubbish in the garden of his home at around 5.30pm when police believed the killer entered the garden over the fence and shot Mr Palmer six times.
A mortally wounded Mr Palmer managed to walk a short distance towards his house before collapsing. He was then discovered by relatives who called for help. Mr Palmer died from his injuries, Essex Police say.
A hole found in the garden fence of Mr Palmer’s rural home suggests the killer may have been watching him in the days leading up to his death, the force added.
Since the enquiry began, the investigation team has taken hundreds of witness statements, traced vehicles and looked at in excess of 1,400 documents.
Anyone with information should contact Essex Police on 101.
Crimestoppers has also offered a £10,000 reward for information that may lead to the conviction of the person or persons responsible, call the charity anonymously on 0800 555 111 or give details via an Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org
