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The North East murder victims whose killers have never been caught

chroniclelive.co.uk 2024/10/5

As loved ones of these tragic victims remain tortured, their killers have escaped justice for years

The killers that stole these victims' precious lives could still be walking the streets today.

These brutal murders all remain unsolved, despite huge police investigations led by top detectives determined to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Today we take a look at these heart-breaking North East cases and pay tribute to the men, women and children whose killers have never been caught.

Devoted Newcastle United fan John’s body was found on the evening of Sunday, December 16, 2012 when officers on patrol in Winlaton, Gateshead, noticed the door to his Park Terrace home had been left open and went to investigate. He died of serious head injuries. A murder probe was launched that would become one of the biggest detectives Northumbria Police detectives have ever worked on. But the team’s task was made more difficult by the fact dad-of-one John, who earned his nickname selling pin badges outside St James' Park had lived an isolated life in the years before he died, and there was no obvious motive for the murder. A number of arrests were made, but all the suspects were eventually released without charge. 1 of 13
Tyneside hardman Viv Graham
Former doorman Viv was gunned down after leaving the Queen’s Head pub, on Wallsend High Street, on New Year’s Eve 1993. The 34-year-old dad-of-four was shot three times with a Magnum handgun in the legs and chest. Left bleeding in the street, he dragged himself 30 yards to try to get help before collapsing. Viv died at North Tyneside General Hospital four hours later surrounded by his family. The killers escaped in a car later found burnt out in Heaton. In the aftermath of the killing, Northumbria Police launched a huge murder enquiry. But despite more than 1,000 people being quizzed, 500 homes visited and hundreds of statements being taken, no-one has ever been convicted of the killing. The shooting remains one of Tyneside’s most notorious unsolved murders.2 of 13
Robert Hutchinson
Sunderland grandad Robert Hutchinson vanished without a trace 10 years ago. Warehouse worker Robert was last seen leaving his home, on Corporation Road, in Hendon, Sunderland, at around 6.20pm on Monday June 23, 2014. His car was found parked in Stewart Street, not far from Sunderland city centre on July 3. Two weeks later, police revealed they were treating his disappearance as murder. But 57-year-old Robert’s body has never been found. Over the years both police and Robert’s family have made repeated pleas for information and a reward of £10,000 has also been offered by the charity Crimestoppers in a bid to get to the truth. Several people have also been arrested as part of the investigation, but all were later told they would face no further police action. And today Robert's disappearances remains as mysterious as it was a decade ago.3 of 13
Eleven-year-old Allan was staying with his brother Denis Baron in Newcastle's West End when he disappeared after being sent to the shop to buy some cigarettes. His body was found dumped in a ditch near Ponteland the following day. But no one has ever been charged with his murder In 2014 a new witness came forward after Allan's case was featured in the Chronicle's Unsolved Crimes series, and detectives have carried our regular reviews of the evidence. Yet today who was responsible for Allan's murder remains a mystery4 of 13
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