A new tip has emerged in the 1990 murder of William Howe, a veteran found tied up and beaten in his Worthing flat.
His flat looked like it had been ransacked. People thought Howe kept money in a safe. The motive was believed to be theft. Howe had been hit with a hammer, and someone also knelt on his back. He suffered broken ribs in the attack.
A doctor said Howe died from neck compression. Howe also had severe facial injuries. A former detective got a tip this month. Someone recognized him from a TV show and claimed to have information about a suspect.
The ex-detective reached out to the police. Sussex Police confirmed they got new information and will review the case. It’s unclear if they will reopen it officially.
A couple found Howe’s body. They went to take him to dinner and found the door unlocked. They saw blood on the walls and called police. Another friend had been there earlier, unaware his friend was dead.
The friend waited, unaware of the murder. Police questioned him and others, but they ruled them out as suspects. Boxes had been moved, and blood was visible throughout the home.
Howe’s arms and legs were tied with wire. He had a long relationship with a man who died a year before. Police don’t think homophobia was the motive. They believe it was a robbery gone wrong.
Police offered a reward for information. They wanted to find a light-colored Volvo owner. In 1993, they sought a fingerprint match from some furniture. The prints were on a writing box. Police showed a photo of shoe prints in blood, including one from Brooks baseball boots and another from Reebok Exo-Fit trainers.
Police logged over 1,790 items from the scene. Some jewelry was missing, including Howe’s mom’s ring on a gold chain. Investigators looked at similar murders and focused on a man in Brighton. He was linked to drugs and knew Howe. This man was wanted for assault. Police arrested him but released him. Another man met Howe in prison and was also released later.
In 2002, someone called a newspaper. They claimed knowledge of Howe’s killer and linked it to a man who died in 1996. Police wanted to speak to the caller. The anonymous caller never contacted police. Forensic science might help solve the case. A crime writer investigated the case, and police reopened the case based on new leads.
Police are reviewing the new information. They have no further details right now.