Murder of Julie Ward

This article is about the 1988 murder. For the British politician, see Julie Ward (politician).

Julie Ward was a British woman who was murdered in Kenya in September 1988. Ward died whilst on safari in the Masai Mara game reserve. The subsequent investigation into her death was notable for the campaign by her father, John Ward; firstly to persuade the Kenyan authorities to recognise that his daughter was murdered, and secondly to try to identify the killer or killers. Three people were charged with her murder, although none have been convicted.

Death

Ward, then 28, was a wildlife photographer. She went missing on a solo photography safari in the Masai Mara game reserve. Last seen alive on 6 September 1988, her burned and dismembered body was found by her father on 13 September. The original theory put forth by the Kenyan officials was that she had been eaten by lions and struck by lightning, but they later accepted that she was murdered after her father's efforts uncovered further evidence. The coroner's report had been altered to disguise the fact that her bones had been cut by a sharp blade rather than gnawed by animals. In 2004 a British inquest recorded a verdict of unlawful killing.

Trials

There have been two trials: in 1992, two park rangers were acquitted of her murder, then in 1998, the head park warden was also acquitted.

John Ward has spent nearly £2 million on the investigation and has made over 100 visits to Kenya.

He has accused the Kenyan government of former President Daniel arap Moi of trying to cover up Miss Ward's murder to prevent damage to the tourist industry. A former MI6 agent has admitted having a role in the case.

The case was reopened in October 2009 after a secret visit, to Kenya, by John Yates, the head of the Metropolitan Police's anti-terrorism squad.

Valentine Ohuru Kodipo, a key witness of the murder, died in December 2009.

References

• Ward, John. The Animals Are Innocent – The Search for Julie's Killers (Headline 1991). ISBN 0-7472-3763-8