A previously unidentified man caught on CCTV footage following the murder of Crimewatch presenter Jill Dando could be a notorious Serbian hitman, a Mirror investigation can reveal. Facial comparison expert Emi Polito has discovered a number of striking resemblances between the mystery ‘Man X’ seen in the footage and convicted murderer Milorad Ulemek, who is currently serving a 40-year sentence in Serbia.
The unidentified person was caught on CCTV following the gunman’s likely escape route after the Crimewatch presenter had been shot dead in 1999. It bore the hallmarks of a professional hit.
At the time of Jill’s murder in 1999, Ulemek was known to lead a squad of lethal assassins working for dictator Slobodan Milosevic. Speaking about the new direction of investigation, Nigel, Jill’s brother, told the Mirror: “I’m always interested in any new lines of inquiry about Jill’s death, especially if those lines of inquiry might lead to somebody being arrested and convicted of her murder.”
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Furthermore, Barry George, who was wrongfully accused and initially convicted for Dando’s murder before being exonerated after eight years in prison, has urged the police to look into these claims. Barry said: “If he’s the person who committed that crime then he should face the full letter of the law and be brought from Serbia to the UK and be dealt with through the courts.”
Michael Mansfield KC, who represented Mr George at his initial trial, said: “I would call for there to be a review and for the investigation to be resuscitated. There was a recent Netflix show called ‘Who Killed Jill Dando?’ Well, you may have the answer.”
He further stated: “The Metropolitan Police has a duty to Jill Dando’s family and loved ones, to Barry George and the public to fully investigate this new line of inquiry uncovered by the Daily Mirror. This should include a full forensic examination of the original CCTV of the unidentified man, all recovered finger and palm prints and to ascertain the movements of Ulemek at the time.”
At the time of Jill’s murder, the conflict in Yugoslavia was intense, with British forces participating in NATO-led airstrikes against Serbia. Dando had recently appealed on behalf of Kosovan refugees suffering under Milosevic’s regime. Shortly after her death, a claim emerged suggesting her assassination was retaliation for the NATO bombings.
The hitman is noted to bear a remarkable likeness to the “sweating man” e-fit of a suspect seen boarding a bus in Fulham, South-West London, just moments after Jill was fatally shot outside her home. Forensic expert Mr Polito, who often provides evidence for the police, observed that Man X and the Serbian assassin share similar features including the shape of their mouth, chin, hairline, and right sideburn, as well as comparable noses and right ears.
The report by the expert concluded: “Within the imagery limitations, no differences were found between Man X and Mr [Ulemek].” However, he could only offer limited support to the idea that they are the same person due to the poor quality of the CCTV image.
He added: “There are a number of similarities between the two men… in particular the appearance of the mouth and of the hairline that add some light weight to the contention that they are the same person.”
Mr Polito suggested that a more conclusive opinion might be possible with higher quality CCTV footage. He also pointed out a distinctive dent on Ulemek’s nose bridge, which was not discernible in the CCTV but was apparent in an e-fit from an eyewitness at the time, released by the police.
Ulemek’s lawyer Aleksander Kovacevic said his client did not wish to ‘participate’ when asked if he murdered Jill. He wrote: “I inform you that my client has been made aware of this and that he is not interested in participating.”
The killing of Jill on her own doorstep just after 11.30am on Monday April 26, 1999, sent shockwaves across the nation and sparked one of the largest homicide probes in UK history. Despite its infamy as one of Britain’s most high-profile unsolved cases, the police have not reviewed the files in over a decade.
As the 25th anniversary approaches this Friday, The Mirror delved deep into thousands of police records, engaged in extensive conversations with both witnesses and former detectives, and even journeyed to Serbia in their investigation. The findings indicate that the Met Police had gained hold of the primary CCTV footage showing “Man X”, a lead suspect, just two weeks post murder.
This footage displayed a dark-haired, white male, who is assumed to be born between 1960 and 1970. He was viewed donning a dark suit, a light shirt and a tie of light and dark hues. The individual was recorded approximately a mile away from the scene of the murder, entering Putney Bridge Tube station, purchasing a ticket and then navigating through the barriers.
In mere seconds after his entry, he made an abrupt turnaround and exited the station, re-emerging through an exit barrier, police files reveal. Detectives at the time formulated the theory that the killer might have been attempting to converse with a getaway driver in a blue Range Rover, which had been identified in the vicinity both prior to and following the murder.
During the initial session of Jill’s inquest, on the 5th May 1999, Det Chief Insp Hamish Campbell conveyed that a man matching the description of the e-fit suspect was sighted boarding a number 74 bus barely minutes after the fatal shooting. Notably, the man was heavily perspiring and appeared to be conducting a conversation on a mobile phone. This specific bus, devoid of any CCTV installation, transported him two stops away from Fulham Palace Road, right up to the Tube station.
The driver confirmed having provided services to the individual resembling the e-fit suspect. CCTV footage from inside and around the station was obtained by detectives under the suspicion that the suspect may have chosen that particular route.
Yet, images of Man X were never divulged to the public and Scotland Yard confirmed earlier this month that he remains unidentified. The force refused to answer a number of other questions from the Mirror.
Like the descriptions of the suspect, Ulemek was in his 30s at the time and of a similar build, height and hair colour. He is in the Zabela high security prison, known locally as Serbia’s Alcatraz, near the eastern town of Prozarevac. Ulemek was convicted of plotting the murders of Serbia’s former President Ivan Stambolic in 2000 and the country’s first democratically elected PM, Zoran Djindjic in 2003.
The former French Foreign Legionnaire and gang boss is understood to have learned English while living in London as a young man. He is Serbia’s most infamous paramilitary soldier and human rights groups say his units were responsible for some of the worst atrocities in the Yugoslav wars of the 90s. More commonly known by his nickname, Legija or Legionnaire, he also calls himself Lukovic, a name he took from his former wife.
Jill, from Somerset, was shot in the head once at point-blank range as she went to open her front door, seconds after getting out of her blue BMW convertible. The attack bore the hallmarks of a ruthless and well thought-out military operation. Custom-made ammunition was used which experts had not previously seen in the UK.
Jill was grabbed from behind and forced down so her head was nearly on the ground by the killer who had been laying in wait for her. The firearm’s mouth was pressed against Jill’s skull, just behind her left ear in a “hard contact” attack. This method meant the gunshot’s sound was significantly muted, resulting in no report of hearing it. Jill tragically lost her life instantaneously.
The “9mm short” bullet retrieved from the crime scene was notably smaller and less potent than the widespread 9mm parabellum. Forensic ballistics determined it could have been discharged from a compact semi-automatic handgun such as a Beretta or a Walther PPK.
These smaller handguns and unique ammo are emblematic of several overseas assassinations carried out by Yugoslav security services. Eyewitnesses reported that the murderer – an unmasked and well-dressed man – calmly closed the gate at Jill’s residence at 29 Gowan Avenue and decelerated when he realised he had spectators.
Two neighbours who observed him leave the murder site provided matching descriptions of the same individual spotted sprinting down Fulham Palace Road towards Putney Bridge Tube.
On Monday, Scotland Yard released a statement: “On the 25th anniversary of Jill Dando’s murder, our thoughts remain with her family and all those affected by her death. In the years since her murder, the investigation has been subject to numerous reviews, aiming to identify whether matters could be progressed with advances in technology and forensics.”
“The investigation is now in an inactive phase, which means that it is not currently subject to routine reviews. However no unsolved murder is ever closed and detectives would consider any new information provided to assess whether it represented a new and realistic line of enquiry.'”.
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
