Milly Dowler killer will not be prosecuted over any other alleged crimes, says MPS
One of the biggest nationwide operations into unsolved rapes and murders has been brought to an end.
Nov 10, 2016
By Nick Hudson
One of the biggest nationwide operations into unsolved rapes and murders has been brought to an end.
No evidence has been found to link serial killer Levi Bellfield to any fresh crimes, say officers who have been re-examining files.
The operation, which involved ten police forces across the country and was being coordinated by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has been closed.
As a result Bellfield will not be prosecuted over any other alleged crimes, the MPS confirmed.
It has taken a considerable amount of time and police resources to conduct the investigation. All lines of enquiry have now been exhausted and the decision has been taken to close this investigation as there is no evidence to link the individual to any case for which he has not already been convicted, the MPS said in a statement.
The investigation was launched after the force received information in early 2015 that Bellfield had admitted various serious crimes while in his cell at Wakefield prison.
The MPS has informed the families of people thought to have been additional victims of Bellfield that the investigation has concluded.
“We have remained in close liaison with a number of families throughout the course of our inquiries, and have made them aware of this outcome,” the statement added.
“This has understandably been a very difficult time for them and we would ask that the privacy of individuals is respected.” Bellfield has also been informed of the outcome of the investigation.
The 47-year-old killer is currently in jail for killing 13-year-old schoolgirl Milly Dowler, Amelie Delagrange, 22, and Marsha McDonnell, 19, and the attempted murder of Kate Sheedy, 18.
There had been widespread speculation that Bellfield who now calls himself Yusuf Rahim might have been responsible for other killings.
It is known that he was previously being investigated for links to the murders of Lin and Megan Russell and for alleged links to a child sex gang none of which were proved.
Milly was snatched from the street while on her way from school to her home in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, in March 2002.
Her body was found in a wood in Yateley Heath, Hampshire 25 miles from Walton-on-Thames.
Bellfield was found guilty of abducting and killing her following a trial at the Old Bailey in 2011.
In 2008 he had been given a whole-life term for murdering Ms McDonnell, 19, in 2003, and murdering Ms Delagrange, 22, and attempting to murder Ms Sheedy, 18, in 2004.