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UNSOLVED MURDER

What happened to Daniel Morgan and why was he murdered?

DANIEL Morgan was found murdered in a car park with an axe lodged into his skull, but after 33 years, no one has been convicted of the crime.

But who was Daniel Morgan, what happened in the pub car park in Sydenham, South London, and why was his killer never found?

Daniel Morgan, 37, was found dead after meeting a colleague in the Golden Lion pub in Sydenham, South London
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Daniel Morgan, 37, was found dead after meeting a colleague in the Golden Lion pub in Sydenham, South LondonCredit: BBC

Who was Daniel Morgan?

Daniel Morgan was a 37-year-old private investigator who was murdered in a pub car park in Sydenham, South East London, in 1987.

Mr Morgan was born in Singapore, and was raised in Monmouthshire, Wales, before setting up a detective agency in 1984.

Southern Investigations was based in Thornton Heath, South London, who he worked for until his death on March 10, 1987.

Daniel married Iris in his late twenties and the couple had two children, Sarah and Daniel.

Mr Morgan also had two children
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Mr Morgan also had two childrenCredit: BBC

What happened in the car park in 1987?

The father-of-two was having a drink with Jonathan Rees, a colleague, at the Golden Lion pub on the night of his murder.

Shortly after leaving the pub, Mr Morgan was found dead next to his car with an axe in the back of his head.

The private investigator was found with an axe lodged in his skull after visiting the Golden Lion
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The private investigator was found with an axe lodged in his skull after visiting the Golden LionCredit: Rex Features

Alongside his vicious wounds, his watch had been stolen, and £1,000 had been left in his jacket pocket.

A month after Mr Morgan's murder, six suspects were arrested, including Jonathan Rees - however, all were eventually released without charge.

The Golden Lion pub, Sydenham, South London, where Mr Morgan was last seen
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The Golden Lion pub, Sydenham, South London, where Mr Morgan was last seenCredit: Google View

Where is the Golden Lion pub?

The Golden Lion is a pub on Sydenham Road, South East London.

After meeting with his colleague, Mr Morgan went to the pub's car park to go home - however, he was brutally murdered before he could start the car.

Why was Daniel Morgan murdered?

Through the work he was carrying out, it was thought that Mr Morgan was close to exposing a very big story when he was brutally killed.

The Met said at the time he “was about to expose a south London drugs network possibly involving corrupt police officers”.

Priti Patel has been accused of 'covering up' an inquiry into Morgan's death
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Priti Patel has been accused of 'covering up' an inquiry into Morgan's deathCredit: PA

What has happened since Daniel Morgan's death?

In 2013, then-Home Secretary, Theresa May set up an inquiry into his death.

The inquiry has been looking into “police involvement in Daniel Morgan’s murder; the role played by police corruption in protecting those responsible for the murder from being brought to justice; and the failure to confront that corruption”.

The report from the inquiry was supposed to be published on May 24, 2021.

However Home Secretary Priti Patel has said that she must review it before it is made public.

The Home Office says Patel has the right to review the report before publication.

Why was his killer never found?

Despite the gruesome murder in the pub car park, Mr Morgan's killer hasn't been found after 33 years.

Five different police inquiries were conducted - none of which led to any convictions due to a lack of evidence.

In 2009, five men were arrested and brought to trial for the case, but after dismissing key witnesses, the Director of Public Prosecutions abandoned the case in March 2011 and the men were acquitted.

The investigation has cost over £30million - and no witnesses have been found nor has anyone been convicted.

Read More on The Sun

Mr Morgan's family believed that the Met Police were to blame for obstructing the case and failing to properly investigate.

 

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