Police re-launch murder probe into gold jeweller, 36, who was brutally executed at point-blank range in his own bath 35 years ago
An unsolved murder investigation into the violent killing of a gold jeweller has been sensationally reopened, 35 years after he was gunned down in the bath.
In a shock move, detectives have relaunched the case of Richard 'Ricky' Haywood, who was executed in 1989 at point blank range while shaving in the tub.
Nobody has ever faced justice for the cold-blooded murder of the 36-year-old antiques dealer - despite police interviewing a staggering 11,000 people at the time.
In a case that is bound to attract true crime fans, Ricky was said to have been caught up in a criminal underworld and killed in a 'professional' gangland-style hit.
Ricky took out a £1million life insurance policy weeks before his death and despite being obsessed with private security, mysteriously his security cameras were not recording on the night he was murdered at his flat in Southampton, Hampshire.
Richard 'Ricky' Haywood, pictured, was executed in 1989 at point blank range while shaving in the tub
Ricky was shot five times in his flat, which was above his jewellery shop The Gold Exchange, pictured
Police interviewed a staggering 11,000 people at the time of his death. Pictured: Police making their enquiries at the time
The cold case featured on BBC's Crimewatch in 1990 and in recent years internet sleuths on Reddit have pondered over the 'strange' murder which resembled a bathtub killing in the first series of US mob drama, The Sopranos.
Today, Hampshire Constabulary announced they are re-launching their investigation as detectives believe improved technology can help them finally solve it.
Crimestoppers is also offering a £20,000 to anyone that can help lead to an arrest and conviction.
Officers in Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary's Major Crime team are looking into the details of the case and conducting a review of all the evidence available to them.
They say advancements in forensic science over the past 35 years will now allow them to pursue this as one of the main lines of enquiry.
Detective Inspector Elizabeth Brunt, who is leading the investigation, said: 'As we review the evidence available to us, I would like to appeal to anyone out there that may hold information about what happened to come forward and speak to us.
'I believe someone knows why Ricky was killed and who was responsible.
'Whatever your allegiances, you would be doing the right thing by telling us what you know.
'I would urge those people to think about Ricky's family who have waited more than 35 years to find out why someone killed him.
'While Ricky's mother died brokenhearted, the rest of his family are desperate to know the truth.
'We need to give his family the answers they rightly deserve, to get justice for them and for Ricky.
Ricky, pictured, was said to have been caught up in a criminal underworld and killed in a 'professional' gangland-style hit
The gold jeweller took out a £1million life insurance policy weeks before his death. Pictured: Police at the scene of the murder
Police have now sensationally reopened the unsolved murder investigation. Pictured is the initial description of the suspect after the killing
Ricky's sister Ann Haywood, left, pictured with their mother Phyllis Haywood, right, in 2004
'Your help is needed and now is the time to communicate what you know, either directly, anonymously or through a third party - doing nothing is no longer an option.'
At his 1993 inquest, it was heard Ricky was shot five times to the body in his flat, which was above his jewellery shop Ambiance, on the evening of October 16, 1989.
An inspector at the time said there was 'no doubt' he had been murdered, with all evidence pointing towards it being a 'professional killing'.
Ricky was described after his murder in 1989 as a wheeler-dealer who had many contacts in the criminal world.
Only weeks before his death he took out a life insurance policy for almost one million pounds.
On the 1990 episode of Crimewatch, it was said that Ricky was shot with an old and worn .22 revolver.
He had apparently been negotiating a deal for a three-acre farm property near Southampton but faced debts.
At the time, Superintendent Ray Piper said Ricky 'mixed with some rather shady characters' and had bought stolen property. Two men were said to flee from the area suspiciously.
Detectives went as far as the US to speak to a prisoner in an American jail as part of the investigation and although four people were arrested, nobody has ever been charged.
A decade after Ricky's death, a similar killing featured in the iconic TV show The Sopranos, when Brendan Filone was shot dead in his bathtub.
Ricky's mother, Phyllis Haywood, went into hiding herself for fear her son's killers may also be after her in search of his money.
She also offered thousands of pounds as a reward for information but died without knowing who killed her son.
A look at a drawing of the supposed suspect who shot Ricky in his bathtub
Detective Ray Piper speaks during a Crimewatch program that aired on the BBC at the time of the first investigation into the murder of Ricky
Despite being obsessed with private security, mysteriously his security cameras were not recording on the night he was murdered at his flat, pictured centre
Speaking today, Beth Simpson, Regional Manager at the charity Crimestoppers, said: 'Ricky's heartbroken family still don't have answers or justice.
'Our charity is offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information given exclusively to us that leads to the arrest, charge and conviction of anybody responsible for his murder.
'If you have information, however small, please speak up and tell Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously.
'If you prefer not to talk to the police, you can tell us what you know, and we'll pass it on for you, it is not too late. We are independent of the police and won't ask for any personal details, there'll be no police contact or witness statements, and you won't have to go to court. Nobody will know you contacted us.'
In a statement issued via police, Ricky's sister said: 'We cannot express enough the huge impact Ricky's death has had on us.
'The pain never goes away. My mum never had peace and it slowly ate away at her, she went to her grave never knowing who committed this awful crime.
'I as Ricky's sister have to live with the pain of his murder and knowing how my mum suffered too.
'We pray this new appeal will urge someone to come forward and hopefully after all these years find justice and closure.'
Police urged anyone with any information to contact them on 101 quoting Operation Tango/44080416574 or visit their public portal to submit information online.
People were told they could also provide information 100 per cent anonymously, by calling the charity Crimestoppers, who are independent of the police, at any time on 0800 555 111 or by visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.
