SCOTLAND YARD detectives are engaged in a colossal forensic examination of more than 10,000 documents as part of a major investigation into the brutal murder of a wealthy City banker, the Daily Mail can reveal.
The investigation into the death of Anthony Sootheran, whose body was discovered at his £1.3 million country estate in North Yorkshire, has become one of the most complex and data-heavy cases currently being handled by the Metropolitan Police.
A Mammoth Paper Trail
Authorities are meticulously combing through a vast archive of financial records, personal correspondence, and digital data. This paper trail is considered crucial to understanding the motive and identifying the individual responsible for Mr. Sootheran's death.
The scale of the evidence highlights the intricate nature of the case, which involves a detailed analysis of the banker's professional and personal life.
A Grisly Discovery in Yorkshire
The investigation was initially launched by North Yorkshire Police after the grim discovery of Mr. Sootheran's body. Due to the case's complexity and its potential links to financial activities in the capital, the investigation was subsequently taken over by the Metropolitan Police's Specialist Crime Command.
This handover underscores the serious and multi-jurisdictional elements of the murder, connecting a violent crime in the countryside to the high-stakes world of London finance.
The Financial Angle
Detectives are operating on the theory that the murder may be directly connected to Mr. Sootheran's financial dealings. The painstaking review of thousands of documents suggests a potential motive rooted in money, business transactions, or personal debts.
The Met's focus on this immense volume of data indicates they believe the key to unlocking the case lies within the victim's financial footprint, hoping to find a discrepancy, a disputed transaction, or a jealous associate.
As the investigation continues, the Met remains tight-lipped about specific suspects but confirms that following the evidence from these documents is their top priority in bringing the killer to justice.
