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Dead man's 1970 murder confession Dead man in murder 'confession'
(about 1 hour later)
An elderly man who recently died of cancer left a confession to a murder unsolved for almost 38 years. An elderly man who recently died of cancer left an apparent confession to a murder unsolved for almost 38 years.
Harvey Richardson, 78, left nine sides of A5 paper detailing the strangulation of 19-year-old Lorraine Jacob in Liverpool in September 1970. Harvey Richardson, 77, left nine sides of A5 paper detailing the strangulation of 19-year-old Lorraine Jacob in Liverpool in September 1970.
Her death remained a mystery until the letter was found in Richardson's home in Aspull, near Wigan. Her death remained a mystery until the letter was found in Mr Richardson's home in Aspull, near Wigan.
Merseyside Police are working with forensic and handwriting experts to corroborate the confession.Merseyside Police are working with forensic and handwriting experts to corroborate the confession.
Det Supt Ian Kemble, leading the investigation, said the letter was detailed and quite old with yellow staining.Det Supt Ian Kemble, leading the investigation, said the letter was detailed and quite old with yellow staining.
I don't think it is something that has been written in the last five or six years Det Supt Ian Kemble The family still need closure and will only rest when they know who was responsible for her death Det Supt Ian Kemble
But, crucially, it does not give any firm indication the Richardson wrote it, he added. But, crucially, it did not give any firm indication that Mr Richardson wrote it, he added.
Mr Kemble said: "The confession isn't dated, it's not signed, so how do we know he wrote it? Mr Kemble said: "I believe it's a probability - but I can't be 100% conclusive. That's why I'm hoping to corroborate the fact of the origin, the writer of the letter, by forensic testing.
"Well, we don't know that until we have expert evidence. "The confession isn't dated, it's not signed, so how do we know he wrote it? Well, we don't know that until we have expert evidence."
He added: "I don't think it is something that has been written in the last five or six years." Mr Richardson died of cancer in a hospice in Wigan on 9 February.
In addition to the note, decorators at his house found a firearm, an airgun, an item of clothing and newspaper cuttings about the killing.
A press cutting about another unsolved murder from 1970 was also found.
Mr Richardson is believed to have lived in Liverpool
Jackie Ansell-Lamb, 18, went missing while hitchhiking and her body was discovered in Mere, Cheshire, in 1970.
Mr Kemble "categorically" denied a press report suggesting there was evidence linking Richardson to the killing.
Miss Jacob was last seen walking alone in Liverpool along Pilgrim Street towards Hardman Street late at night on 1 September 1970.Miss Jacob was last seen walking alone in Liverpool along Pilgrim Street towards Hardman Street late at night on 1 September 1970.
Her body was found early the following day by refuse workers in a back alley behind a building in Rodney Street. Some of her clothing was missing. Her body was found early the following day by refuse workers in a back alley behind a building in Rodney Street.
Hospice death Some of her clothing was missing.
Merseyside Police announced on 18 February that they were reopening the case following the death of the pensioner. Mr Richardson is believed to have lived in Huskisson Street, Liverpool, at the time and worked in a restaurant called The Mariners.
He died of cancer in a hospice in Wigan on 9 February. Detectives released a photograph of Richardson when he was aged 36 - four years before Lorraine was killed - in the hope someone who knew or worked with him recognises him.
In addition to the note, decorators at the property found an airgun, an item of clothing and newspaper cuttings about the killing. DNA tests
Richardson is believed to have lived in Huskisson Street, Liverpool, and worked in a restaurant, possibly called The Mariners, at the time of the murder. Mr Kemble added: "For nearly 38 years the family of Lorraine Jacob have had to live with the fact that the person who murdered Lorraine has never been caught.
Detectives have also released a photograph of Richardson when he was aged 36, four years before Lorraine was killed. "The family still need closure and will only rest when they know who was responsible for her death."
Police expect results from DNA tests on items found in Mr Richardson's house in about five weeks.
Robin Makin, the Jacob family solicitor, said they had waited a very, very long time for the development.
"There is a jigsaw puzzle that needs solving," he said.
"There are enough pieces now to make the picture and I think that is stressful for the family to know that."