NO unsolved murder case is ever closed, Essex Police has insisted as the force continues to hunt for answers over violent and distressing deaths in south Essex. 

Losing loved ones is bad enough and the ongoing lack of closure makes their situations all the more unbearable for the victims’ families.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We remain committed to solving unsolved cases and bringing those responsible to justice.

“We periodically review unsolved cases, which includes looking at original information and any fresh lines of enquiry, and making use of any advances in technology.

“We are constantly looking to utilise advances in forensic science here and abroad to progress those relatively few cases of murder that remain unresolved.”

Here is a list of some of the unsolved murders in south Essex.

Nicola Ray

Mum-of-two Nicola Ray, 30, was last seen parting ways with her friend after having some drinks in a Basildon pub on May 2, 2000.

A man was arrested twice by but has never been charged and in 2010 police said no further action would be taken against him.

Ronald Fuller

Ronald Fuller, 30, was found on his front doorstep after being gunned down by a motorcyclist in Parkside, Grays.

The painter and decorator was shot several times as he left his house at 7.45am.

Andrea Daly

Andrea Daly, 40 died of smoke inhalation as a fire broke out in her home in Rochford Road, Southend on November 10, 2005.

Her sons, aged 17 and 20 at the time, jumped from a first-floor bedroom window.

Richard Zephaniah

This victim, 39, was stabbed outside his flat in Bockingham Green, Felmores on January 6, 2006.

Despite several raids, no one has been brought to account for his death and an inquest in 2011 recorded his death as an unlawful killing.

Angela Millington

Angela’s body was found washed up on Foulness Island on June 21, 2014, she was 33-years-old

A group of ramblers called officers after it was thought they found human remains. Extensive DNA and forensic tests identified the body as Angela’s.

Albert Williams

Albert Williams, 67, was found dead in his small flat in Cedar Close, Southend, on August 8, 2015.

Mr Williams had been stamped on, strangled and set on fire.

Ladi Benson

This 27-year-old shop owner of Westcliff was stabbed to death in Chelmsford in November 2015.

The father-of-two ran a shoe and clothes shop called Numero 88, based in Princes Street.

An inquest held into his death in 2016 heard his friends have refused to cooperate with the police.

John Palmer

John ‘Goldfinger’ Palmer, 65, was found dead in the garden of his remote woodland home in South Weald, on June 24, 2015.

It later emerged he had been shot six times at close range.

Ivy Davies

Ivy Davies, 48, as battered to death at her home in Holland Road, Westcliff in 1975.

Mary Kriek

Mary Kriek, 19, was killed in January 1958 after getting off a bus in Foxes Corner in Eight Ash Green, Colchester.

Linda Smith

Linda Smith, 12, lived in Foundry Lane, Earls Colne, was found four days after she disappeared while running an errand on Monday, January 16, 1961.

Alison Morris

Trainee teacher Alison, 25, as stabbed multiple times in Ramsey as she walked down a footpath to the River Stour on September 1, 1979.

Diane Jones

Diane, 35, of Coggeshall, went drinking with her husband On July 23, 1983.

She was last seen at the front gate of their house and On October 22, 1983, her body was discovered adjacent to the A1093 road at Martlesham, Suffolk.

John Marshall

A 34-year-old Billericay car dealer, Marshall’s body was found on May 22, 1996, in the unlocked boot of his Range Rover, parked in Sydenham, South London.

Paul Duckenfield

Paul Duckenfield, 41, of Braintree, was last seen alive arriving at Stansted airport on Monday, September 15 2008.

His body was not recovered.

Clive Enkel

Clive Enkel, 53, was found in his Loughton home on September 25, 2008.

Michael Shipton

Michael Shipton, 61, also known as Joe was found in his home in The Plashets, Sheering, near Harlow on March 25 2006.

Tran Duy Hai

Tran Duy Hai, 37, was found by police investigating a burglary in South Woodham Ferrers on December 9, 2010.

Liam Mearns

Liam Mearns, 21, was a young father of three stabbed to death over a bike in Wellesley Road, Clacton in December 2011

Shakoor Family

Dr Sabah Usmani and her five children Maheen, Rayyan, Muneeb, Hira and Sohaib Shakoor died in a Harlow fire on October 15, 2012.

Ayodele Osifuwa

Ayodele Osifuwwa, 17, of Plaistow was stabbed in Limes Avenue, Chigwell, on December 9, 2013 and died on February 7, 2014.

Sam Garcia

Sam Garcia, 26, was confirmed as dead inside a caravan off Clock House Road in Little Burstead on May 6, 2013.

Paul Simmons-Turner

Paul Simmons-Turner, 38, lived in east London and was shot in the car park of the Marriot Hotel in Old Shire Lane, Waltham Abbey, at 9.45am on December 8, 2015.

The Essex Police spokesman: “We also recognise the importance of keeping cases in the public eye to take advantage of changed loyalties where appropriate, in particular to ensure any witness who may hold a key piece of information but thinks it is unimportant for whatever reason remain aware that the police want to hear any news that can break a case open.

“It's never too late for people to come forward with information relating to any crime and where that happens we investigate thoroughly to ensure we take all opportunities to bring criminals to justice.”

A new Freedom of Information request on unsolved murders was published by Essex Police on November 14.

To view the details visit bit.ly/3RdssiX.