A new BBC documentary, The Murder of Jill Dando, has revisited the life and violent death of the beloved TV presenter, 20 years after she was shot dead on her doorstep in Fulham. The programme, which aired on BBC One, focused on Dando's career and the impact of her loss on family and friends, rather than sensationalising the crime.
Dando's cousin Judith still keeps scrapbooks of cuttings and Radio Times covers featuring Jill, made by friends at the height of her success. Judith reflected on the future they had planned together, saying, 'In my old age, which I thought I'd spend with Jill, it will be nice to go through the stuff.' She faltered only briefly, refusing to give in to tears.
The documentary mixed footage of Dando presenting for the BBC Six O'Clock News, Holiday and Crimewatch with details of the police investigation led by Hamish Campbell. It also included interviews with her brother Nigel, who has aged visibly since giving dignified statements after her death, and others who have lived the past two decades without her.
The murder remains unsolved. The investigation initially considered gangland connections or a revenge attack linked to her Crimewatch work, but eventually focused on local loner Barry George. He was convicted based on a single particle of gunshot residue found in his coat pocket, but was acquitted after a retrial when the scientific evidence was challenged. Dando's family say they were never convinced of his guilt and hope the real culprit will still be found.
