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New probe into tourist Julie Ward's Kenya murder

Liam Creedon,Pa
Tuesday 13 April 2010 04:32 EDT
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Police have visited Kenya as part of a fresh investigation into the murder of a British tourist more than 20 years ago, it was confirmed today.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police visited the east African country last month as part of a new inquiry into Julie Ward's death.

The photographer, 28, from Bury St Edmunds, was brutally murdered while on a trip to the Masai Mara game reserve.

She was last seen alive on September 6 1988 after travelling to the Masai Mara park.

Her remains were found on September 13; the Kenyan authorities initially said she had been killed by wild animals.

Nobody has been convicted of her murder.

Detectives from the Met travelled to the country to help Kenyan police with new leads in the case.

A Met spokesman said: "Metropolitan Police Service officers continue to work closely with, and receive positive co-operation from, the Kenyan authorities in this investigation."

Miss Ward's father John has battled with both Kenyan and British authorities in his search to find his daughter's killer, travelling to Kenya more than 100 times and spending almost £2 million.

Two murder trials have resulted in all defendants being acquitted.

During a British inquest into Miss Ward's death, it was claimed there had been a cover-up in Kenya to protect her killers.

A separate report into the affair by Jon Stoddart, now chief constable of Durham, accused the Kenyan police, who initially insisted Miss Ward committed suicide or was killed by wild animals, of "brazen, deceitful and dishonest behaviour".

The report was also critical of two Scotland Yard officers whose initial inquiry led to two park rangers standing trial for murder.

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