In 1999, an English Journalist, Jill Dando who was known for co-presenting BBC One programme ‘Crimewatch’ was shot dead outside of her house. While it led to the biggest murder inquiry in London, the case remains unsolved to this day.
37-year-old Jill was one of the highest-profile of BBC’s on-screen staff and had also achieved BBC personality of the year award. But on an unfortunate morning of 26th April, 1999, as Jill arrived at her house that she owned (but was in the process of selling it), she was shot dead in the head, one time. Shortly after, the police arrived and she was taken to the hospital, where she was declared dead at 13:03.
According to the Guardian article, “Jill was putting her keys in the lock to open the front door of her home, when she was grabbed from behind, and forced to the ground, in a way where her head was facing the tiled step of the porch. Then, she was shot in her forehead, that killed her almost instantly. The bullet then entered her head and came out the other side of her head.”
The neighbours heard no gunshot, but when they peeked through the window, they could see Jill laid on the ground. One of the neighbour could briefly remember the sight of the killer - “a six foot tall white man, aged 40, walking away from Jill’s house.”
There was an intense investigation that followed post her death. Forensic experts predicted that the killer was a loner with a severe personality disorder. More than 2,500 were spoken to, by the investigation team, after which they narrowed it down to one person, Barry George, who was said to have lived 500 yards from Jill’s house.
Barry already had a history of stalking women and other antisocial behaviors. He also had 4000 photographs of women, along with well-known female TV personalities. He was therefore arrested on 25 May, 2000 for Jill’s murder.
While Barry’s lawyer suggested that his behavior was just an ‘exaggerated interest in TV personalities,’ the police went on to prove how Barry was found posing with a blank firing pistol, a weapon that was used in Jill’s murder.
In Barry’s defence, the lawyer said that Jill’s murder was framed by a professional hitman. He even denied accusations associated with Barry stalking Jill, prior to her murder, emohasising that there was not actual evidence regarding Jill that could be found at Barry’s apartment, despite having 4000 photographs of celebrity women.
On 2nd, July, 2001, Barry was charged life imprisonment. His first two appeals over his case were firmly denied. However, after eight years of prison, Barry made a third appeal, followed by a retrial. He was relieved of all the charges against Jill’s murder.
Police have several theories regarding the person who may have killed Jill. It could have been her ex-boyfriend. However, when the investigative team checked her phone calls, it was ruled out. Someone hiring a hitman? Well, it was also ruled out. Random guy ‘stalking her’ before her death? Ruled out. Mistaken identity? Ruled out.
Jill’s murder case remains unresolved till date. However, her life story has been turned into a Netflix true crime show: “Who killed Jill Dando?” It was released in 2023, having three episodes, 44-minutes each.
Meanwhile, Barry, 63 years old, now lives in Ireland with his sister. “You’re treated like a scab in London. I live in Ireland now. It’s quiet here,” he told the team involved in making of the Netflix show.
