The killing of wealthy businesswoman Penny Bell is one of Britain’s most baffling cold case murders.
Her daughter Lauren Bell has turned detective in an attempt to solve the mystery. She has teamed up with Brian Edwards, the officer who led the initial police investigation into the murder 31 years ago.
Together, they are determined to crack the case.
Penny, 43, was stabbed 50 times in broad daylight in her Jaguar in a busy leisure centre car park in June 1991. There were no signs of robbery or sexual assault.
Lauren, 40, said: “I believe my mum’s killer is still alive and walking free. I won’t rest until I know who murdered her.
“I was just nine when Mum was taken from us, so I’m coming from a very different perspective today. As soon as I approached Brian, he didn’t hesitate and agreed to work with me on Mum’s case.
“His memory of the murder is exceptional, and his experience of the case is invaluable. Like me, he’s never been able to let the case go and has thought about it constantly over the years.
“I’ve been trying to piece lots of things together over the years from family, friends and associates.
“Now I’m trying to bring it all together with Brian’s knowledge. It’s certainly been a very busy few months with lots of new leads and perspective.”
Brian, a retired detective chief superintendent, said: “This case has always troubled me and when Lauren got in touch, I didn’t have to think twice about getting involved again.
“I retired in 1999 but this case has always bugged me. I remember seeing Lauren as a little girl when her mum was murdered. It’s extraordinary to now be working with her to try and solve the case.
“Lauren has gleaned lots of background information over the years that would have been impossible for us as a detective team to know at the time.
“It’s shone fresh light on a case that has stumped everyone for over three decades.”
Penny, who lived in Denham, Bucks, was murdered in Perivale, West London, leaving behind her husband Alistair and two children, Lauren, and 11-year-old Matthew.
Lauren, who now has a daughter of her own, joined forces with former Metropolitan Police detective Brian last year on the 30-year anniversary of the killing.
Scotland Yard’s cold case team has regularly launched fresh inquiries into the killing but to no avail. A forensics review was ordered last year but no new evidence has resulted.
Lauren said: “Brian and I are looking at every detail of Mum’s life to establish new evidence. I believe we will uncover who killed Mum and trust we’ll receive support from the police to bring her killers to justice.
“Anything we uncover will be passed to the police. It feels like the answer is there right in front us – like her killer is hiding in plain sight. That’s why neither Brian nor I will give up this time.”
After such a brutal attack in a public place, the police were confident back in 1991 the killer would be found.
But no witnesses to the attack were discovered and despite a huge inquiry neither the killer nor a motive have ever been identified.
Brian – who led other high-profile probes including into the murder of headteacher Philip Lawrence – said Penny’s case was the most frustrating of his career. He added: “[Lauren] has a brilliant enquiring mind. We make a great team, combining experience and new knowledge.”
Lauren said: “Last year on the big anniversary I did so many public appeals for information and got nowhere. I was deeply upset when no one came forward, and then I had a light bulb moment. I realised if the information wasn’t coming to me, I would have to dig out the evidence for myself.
“I had lots of information going round in my head but I’m not a trained detective and so I sought Brian’s help. I am so lucky to be working with someone so talented and with as much drive and passion for justice as me.
“It’s a unique situation but it’s not impossible to crack this case. Every few weeks I see cold cases even older than this being solved after decades. I hope ours will be next.”
Brian said: “It’s impossible to let this one go.
“Lauren and I are committed to doing everything possible to uncover the truth of how her mother was murdered.
“It’s the very least that Penny deserves.”
