Everything We Know So Far About the 'Conman Murder' In Essex

Though it happened in June of last year, it's now been revealed that a murder in Essex was likely gang-related. John Palmer, 64, was shot to death in his home in South Weald, Brentwood on the 24th of June, 2015 by an assailant who apparently climbed over Palmer's fence and shot him six times in the chest from an area not covered by CCTV, according to Essex Police.

Palmer, who grew up in Solihull, Birmingham, was nicknamed "Goldfinger" after his connection with the Brink's-Mat gold bullion heist of 1983 (he was acquitted, but an associate was convicted), and for his involvement in a timeshare scam. In the latter case, he defrauded 16,000 people, collecting over £20 million in ill-gotten funds, and was jailed for eight years in 2001, but only served half his sentence. Before his conviction it was reported that Palmer shared a spot with the Queen in The Sunday Times Rich List, at 105, and had owned a private jet, a £750,000 yacht, a French chateau, a West Country mansion and a collection of Ferraris and Porsches.

He was declared bankrupt in 2005, with a reported debt of £3.9 million, and charged with fraud by Spanish police in 2007 – a charge he was in the midst of fighting at the time of his death.

Palmer's body was discovered by his son James Ketley's girlfriend. Initially it was thought that he had suffered a heart attack, with examiners only realising he had been shot during the post-mortem – which seems a little odd, considering he'd taken six shells to the body. That said, according Essex police, the crime scene had been "professionally" stripped of evidence, and it's unknown whether or not a silencer was used.

Despite Palmer's history of crime and imprisonment, his partner, Christina Ketley, claims he led a "normal" life before his death and had readjusted well. Still, police are investigating his links to any major UK crimes or criminal groups operating last year, including – but not limited to – the Hatton Garden jewellery heist. Thought it is purely speculation at this point, it's been suggested that the killing may be down to fears Palmer would incriminate others, potentially during the ongoing Spanish fraud case. Police refused to say whether or not Palmer was an informant at the time of his death.

Either way, officers say the murder "bears all the hallmarks of a professional hit", with a hole found in Palmer's fence thought to be a viewing spot the killer used to track his movements.

A 43-year-old man arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder was released without charge last year. Police say that tracking down Palmer's killer – or killers – will be difficult, but are going to appeal for new information.

"There's no love lost between lots of these criminal gangs," said Roy Ramm, former Commander of Special Operations at New Scotland Yard, "and if there's some revenge to be had or a debt to be paid it could be that someone decides to quietly blow a whistle for Essex Police tonight."

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