An exclusive photograph has emerged showing Serbian assassin Milorad Ulemek wearing a distinctive navy blue striped tie that matches one worn by an unidentified man wanted for questioning over the murder of television presenter Jill Dando.
The Tying Evidence
The newly uncovered image shows twice-convicted murderer Ulemek, known by his nickname "Legija", smiling while wearing the unusual tie in Serbia before Ms Dando was shot dead on her doorstep in April 1999. The Metropolitan Police confirmed they are now examining this evidence as part of their ongoing assessment of the cold case.
In an official statement, the Met revealed: "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 photograph depicts Ulemek wearing the distinctive tie that bears striking similarities to one worn by "Man X" - an unidentified individual captured on CCTV and still sought by police.
Forensic Analysis Reveals Striking Similarities
Certified forensic video analyst Emi Polito has compiled a detailed report comparing the two garments. Mr Polito identified several significant similarities between Ulemek's tie and the one worn by Man X.
The most compelling similarity identified was the presence of dark tones within the light stripes of both ties. Additional matching characteristics included:
- The general form and style of both ties
- Their appearance beneath the knot
- Three dark stripes of broadly similar size and tone
Mr Polito concluded that his examination "lends moderate support" to the contention that both men are wearing the same type and design of tie. However, he noted that the poor quality of the CCTV copy made definitive judgement impossible, suggesting that analysis of the original footage could provide clearer answers.
Historical Context and Political Motives
The timing of Ms Dando's murder raises significant questions about potential political motives. Ulemek led a notorious paramilitary unit called the JSO that carried out assassinations for late Serbian dictator Slobodan Milosevic at the time of the killing.
Just twenty days before her death, Ms Dando had fronted a BBC charity appeal for Kosovan refugees, referring to Kosovo as a "former Yugoslavian region" - language that would have enraged the Milosevic regime, which considered Kosovo the "cradle" of their nation.
A source with knowledge of Serbia's security services indicated that Ms Dando's high-profile appeal, made on behalf of major UK NGOs, could have made her a legitimate target in their view. This theory gains credibility from the fact that within hours of the murder, the BBC received a call claiming it was in response to NATO attacks on Serbia.
The investigation has revealed that Ulemek's tie was likely created by the late Serbian fashion designer Neven Vrgoc, known for hand-painting flamboyant, bespoke garments. Staff at Neven's Belgrade shop, which operated from 1978 until his death in 2014, confirmed that the designer often created one-off ties for clients, though they couldn't verify whether Ulemek's specific tie was among his creations.
Witness Accounts and Previous Investigations
Two key eyewitnesses have come forward stating they believe Ulemek was the man they saw running near the murder scene in Fulham, southwest London. One witness identified Man X in the CCTV footage as the person she saw "running for his life" just a month after the killing.
Man X was captured on camera at Putney Bridge tube station, approximately one mile from where Ms Dando was ambushed from behind and killed instantly by a single bullet to her left temple. The suspect was described as white, believed to be in his 30s, with dark hair and wearing a dark suit, light shirt, and the distinctive striped tie.
Ulemek, now 57, shares similar physical characteristics with the descriptions provided by eight witnesses in the area around the murder scene. He speaks good English and matches the general build, height and hair colour of the suspect.
The investigation has uncovered that the Metropolitan Police obtained the CCTV footage of Man X within two weeks of the murder, yet never released the image publicly. Detectives also never travelled to Serbia to investigate potential leads involving Ulemek.
Ulemek has since been convicted for the murders of Serbian ex-President Ivan Stambolic in 2000 and the country's first democratically elected Prime Minister, Zoran Djindjic, in 2003. He remains incarcerated at Zabela high-security jail, where he has reportedly had three escape attempts foiled, and could request early release in 2030.
When approached for comment through his lawyer Aleksander Kovacevic last year, Ulemek declined to respond to questions about whether he murdered Ms Dando.
The Metropolitan Police emphasised that while the investigation is currently in an "inactive phase", meaning it's not subject to routine reviews, no unsolved murder is ever formally closed. The force continues to assess new information that could provide fresh leads in this enduring mystery that has captivated the nation for over two decades.
