An 86-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the brutal shotgun murders of a married couple on their south Wales farm more than three decades ago, marking a dramatic new development in one of the region's most notorious cold cases.
A Brutal Crime and a Controversial Conviction
Harry Tooze, 64, and his wife Megan, 67, were killed at their farmhouse in Llanharry, south Wales, on 26 July 1993. The couple had been blasted with a 12-bore shotgun. Their bodies were discovered in a cow shed after their daughter, Cheryl, grew concerned when a regular phone call went unanswered.
In 1995, Jonathan Jones, who was Cheryl's boyfriend at the time, was convicted of the murders and jailed for life. However, his conviction was dramatically overturned by the Court of Appeal less than a year later. Three judges took just five minutes to reach their decision, following a campaign by Cheryl protesting his innocence. The original trial judge was criticised, and it later emerged that police had failed to seal the crime scene properly.
Forensic Review Leads to New Arrest
In 2023, South Wales Police began a full forensic review of the unsolved case. This renewed investigation culminated on Wednesday with the arrest of an 86-year-old man, who remains in police custody. The arrest represents the first significant breakthrough in the investigation for many years.
Detective Superintendent Mark Lewis, the senior investigating officer, stated: “While this arrest is clearly a significant development in the investigation, our inquiries are very much ongoing. This case has affected many people over the years and our aim is to find the answers to the unanswered questions which remain about their deaths over 30 years on.”
Unanswered Questions After Three Decades
The case has been shrouded in mystery since the day of the murders. On the morning of 26 July 1993, the Toozes were seen returning to their farm after collecting their pensions. Neighbors reported hearing two gunshots around 1:30 pm, but this was not considered unusual in a rural farming area.
Det Supt Lewis made a fresh appeal for information, emphasising the passage of time: “Even with this passage of time I appeal to anyone who has any information about the murders to come forward and speak to police.” The arrest demonstrates that South Wales Police are committed to pursuing justice, no matter how many years have passed.
