Detectives are investigating a Serbian assassin in connection with the unsolved murder of BBC presenter Jill Dando, the Daily Mirror can exclusively reveal.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed they are assessing new evidence linking Milorad Ulemek to the 1999 shooting that shocked the nation. This development comes after an extensive investigation uncovered compelling connections between the convicted killer and the mysterious 'Man X' captured on CCTV near the murder scene.
The Tie That Binds: Forensic Evidence Emerges
Central to the new investigation is a recently unearthed photograph showing Ulemek wearing an unusual striped tie that matches one worn by the unidentified man caught on camera approximately 20 minutes after Dando was killed. The image was captured on the gunman's likely escape route from Fulham, southwest London.
Certified forensic video analyst Emi Polito has compiled a detailed report comparing the two ties, finding significant similarities in their design and pattern. Mr Polito noted that his examination "lends moderate support" to the contention that they are the same type and design, though the poor quality of the available CCTV copy prevents definitive conclusions.
The original raw footage, believed to be buried among 223 boxes of material in police deep storage, will now be examined using modern forensic imaging technology. This could provide clearer images from different angles, potentially enabling experts to make more conclusive comparisons.
The Serbian Connection: A Notorious Killer
Milorad Ulemek, known by his nickname Legija, is Serbia's most infamous paramilitary soldier, currently serving a 40-year prison sentence for the murders of Serbian ex-President Ivan Stambolic and Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic. The 57-year-old former French Foreign Legionnaire led a notorious paramilitary unit called the JSO that carried out assassinations for late Serbian dictator Slobodan Milosevic.
Two key eyewitnesses have identified Ulemek as the man they saw running near the murder scene on April 26, 1999. One witness told the Mirror she was "adamant that is one and the same person that I saw run down the road," while another said he was "80% sure" it was the Serb who nearly ran in front of his van.
The timing of Dando's murder is particularly significant. UK planes were bombing Serbia at the time, and just 20 days before her death, Dando had fronted a BBC charity appeal for Kosovan refugees, referring to Kosovo as a "former Yugoslavian region" - terminology that would have enraged the Milosevic regime.
Historical Investigation and New Hope
The Metropolitan Police stated: "No unsolved murder is ever closed and detectives are assessing this information to understand whether it's a new and realistic line of enquiry." The case had been in an "inactive phase" but is now receiving fresh attention.
Barry George, a local man with learning difficulties, was originally convicted of the murder in 2001 but cleared after a retrial in 2008. He spent eight years in prison before his acquittal.
The Mirror's investigation revealed that police had the CCTV footage of 'Man X' within two weeks of the murder but never released the image publicly. Detectives also never travelled to Serbia to investigate potential connections to Serbian operatives.
Ulemek's lawyer Aleksander Kovacevic stated that his client did not wish to comment when asked if he murdered Jill Dando. The convicted killer can request early release in 2030.
This new development represents the most significant breakthrough in the 26-year investigation, offering hope that one of Britain's most high-profile unsolved murders might finally be resolved.
