Unsolved gangland execution of a couple 35 years ago linked to third mystery murder
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The 1989 unsolved gangland executions of a couple has been linked to a third mystery murder. Terry Gooderham, 39, and Maxine Arnold, 32, were kidnapped and forced to drive to Epping Forest in East London, where they were found shot dead 35 years ago this week.
Bar stocktaker Terry was apparently killed to stop him revealing a scam involving a Krays associate hijacking booze lorries to supply a pub protection racket. Mick Randall, a former Met detective, told The Mirror an organised crime gang suspected of masterminding the murders was later bugged discussing cutting off the head and arms of another victim.
The dead body was in a car boot and the gangsters were planning to remove his limbs in order to frustrate identification because of his tattoos. A torso matching that description was found in Bolney, Sussex in October 1991 and local police were convinced it was a London crime.
The still unidentified victim, believed to be in his 30s, had his arms broken and his head removed with an axe or bolt cropper. One hand was severed six inches below the elbow the other two inches below, perhaps to cut away a tattoo. The body had been dressed after death in a shirt and trousers belonging to someone else. His missing head and limbs were never found.
Mr Randall said he believes all three murders remain unsolved because of police corruption. He said: "These gangsters were overheard discussing cutting off the head and arms of a dead body in a car boot to frustrate identification because of his tattoos. A torso matching that description was found in Bolney, Sussex and local police there were convinced it was a London crime but got no assistance from the Met.".
