Dark Room

Mystery Surrounds Murdered Couple's Relationship

Hampshire police revealed this afternoon that the murdered couple, Leo Wallader, 35, and Meg Harris, 34, had kept their eleven-year relationship secret from their families. "It is not clear at this stage," said Detective Superintendent Cheever, leading the investigation, "why secrecy was important, but we hope that by publishing photographs of them someone may come forward who knew them as a couple."

Further mystery surrounds Leo Wallader's estate, which has been valued at over one million pounds. "He told friends and relations that he was in financial difficulties," said Det. Supt. Cheever, "and it came as a surprise to everybody to discover how much he was worth."

Sir Anthony Wallader, Leo's father, who accused Hampshire police yesterday of lethargy, refused to comment on his son's financial affairs. "My wife and I are too upset to talk to anyone," he said. In the absence of a Will, Sir Anthony and Lady Wallader, as next of kin, will inherit their son's fortune. Sir Anthony is believed to have a substantial fortune in his own right.

Det. Supt. Cheever agrees that Hampshire police were unhappy about the accusation of lethargy. "We have been working very hard to find Leo and Meg's murderer," he told journalists, "but cases like this are never easy. The length of time that the couple knew each other clearly puts a different emphasis on what has happened here, and we need to establish why they felt it important to keep their friendship secret."

He went on to say that he recognized the pressure both families were under and regretted any insensitivity Hampshire police may have shown. "We have a tendency to assume," he admitted, "that the families of victims understand we are working hard on their behalf. Clearly this is not always recognized, and we will make sure there is no misunderstanding in future."

Southern Evening Echo-28th June