New Investigation Suggests Jill Dando Murder Was Professional Hit

A new investigation into the 1999 murder of BBC presenter Jill Dando suggests the crime may have been a professional hit, potentially orchestrated by Serbian agents. This development casts doubt on the original conviction of Barry George, who was found guilty of the murder based on trace evidence and later acquitted on appeal.

The investigation, detailed in a report by Steve Boggan, focuses on new evidence that points towards a possible contract killing. Boggan, who was present in court when George was declared guilty, expressed his disbelief at the time, questioning the sufficiency of the evidence, particularly the presence of a tiny particle containing lead, antimony, and barium.

While the original investigation led to the conviction of Barry George, his acquittal in 2008 left the case unsolved. The new inquiry has reportedly identified a key suspect, a hitman associated with Serbian intelligence. Enhanced CCTV images show a man running away from Dando's home on the day of her murder, and forensic experts believe this individual shares facial similarities with Milorad Ulemek, a figure linked to the Serbian Volunteer Guard.

Ulemek, also known as 'Legija,' is a notorious figure who led the Red Berets, a special paramilitary unit with ties to Serbian intelligence. The motive for such a contract killing remains unclear, but theories at the time of Dando's murder suggested a possible connection to the NATO bombing of Serbia in 1999. The Daily Mail reported on April 28, 1999, that questions were being raised about whether Dando was killed by a Serbian gunman.

This ongoing investigation could potentially bring closure to the Dando family and provide a clearer understanding of the events surrounding the presenter's death. The initial conviction of Barry George was controversial, and this new evidence may finally shed light on the identity of Jill Dando's real killer.