The unsolved murder of beloved BBC presenter Jill Dando remains one of Britain's most haunting cold cases. Now, a major investigation by the Daily Mirror has thrust a potential new suspect into the spotlight: Serbian assassin and gang leader Milorad Ulemek. The findings have prompted the Metropolitan Police to re-examine crucial evidence, over two decades after Dando was shot dead on her doorstep in Fulham.
The 'Man X' CCTV Link and a Witness's Chilling Encounter
Central to the new probe is a mysterious figure caught on CCTV, referred to as 'Man X'. This individual was filmed at Putney Bridge tube station in South West London around midday on 26 April 1999 – approximately 20 minutes after Dando was killed about a mile away in Fulham. A facial comparison expert, Emi Polito, who provides evidence for police, has noted striking similarities between Man X and Ulemek.
Polito's analysis found both men shared a similar mouth shape, chin, hairline, and right sideburn. The general shape and size of their noses and right ears were also identical. His report concluded that, within the limitations of the blurry imagery, "no differences were found" between the two. However, he could only offer limited support for them being the same person due to the CCTV's lack of detail.
Adding weight to this potential link, a witness has come forward stating she is convinced she locked eyes with Ulemek near the murder scene that day. She welcomed the Met's decision to review the CCTV, telling the Mirror: “It is good that they are but they should have done it in the first place.”
Unresolved Forensic Clues and a Serbian Connection
The Mirror's investigation, which analysed hundreds of pages of police files, reveals that critical forensic evidence remains unidentified. This includes:
- Unidentified fingerprints found on Jill Dando's front door.
- A mystery footprint from the scene.
- These are among three sets of "priority marks" collected around Fulham that have never been matched.
This evidence is stored among 223 boxes in a Met Police warehouse, each containing roughly 1,000 pages of documents, photos, and exhibits. While Ulemek's DNA and fingerprints are believed to be held by Serbian authorities, they are not currently available to British police, creating a significant hurdle.
Ulemek's Motive and a State-Sanctioned Hit?
The potential suspect, Milorad Ulemek, was a formidable figure. He made millions running one of Serbia's top crime gangs and, crucially, vowed to "personally manage" an assassination of a target just one month before Dando's murder. According to court testimony, he was summoned by the former head of the Serbian security services, Radomir Markovic, and asked to "remove one person who is currently threatening the security of the state."
The Met Police has confirmed it is examining the Mirror's investigation, particularly after it was noted that Man X was seen wearing a tie matching one worn by the Serbian hitman. This development marks a significant turn in a case that has frustrated detectives and devastated the public for 26 years.
The renewed scrutiny underscores the persistent questions surrounding one of the Met's largest ever inquiries. With fresh attention on forensic clues and a potential international angle, the hope for a breakthrough in the Jill Dando murder case is once again alive.
