True Crime Investigators UK

The Murder of WPC Yvonne Fletcher (Part 1 of 2)

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Episode notes

Welcome to our 10th case - The Murder of WPC Yvonne Fletcher.  This is episode number 1.  If you haven't heard our pre-season episode, please take a listen here: https://pod.fo/e/24428f

The second and concluding episode of this case will be released a week after this.

On 17th April 1984, a number of the Metropolitan Police officers were on duty in St James Square, London. At that time the Libyan Embassy occupied No 5. The officers were to police a demonstration which consisted of supporters and dissenters of Colonel Gaddafi, the Libyan leader.

It was at 10.18 that gunfire was discharged from the first floor windows of No 5 St James Square. Many anti Gaddafi demonstrators were hit and injured. One of the officers, Yvonne Fletcher,  was also shot and fell to the ground. She was immediately tended to by the officers around her and then removed from the danger. Standing next to Yvonne that day was her friend and colleague, PC John Murray. John accompanied Yvonne to hospital, he made a promise that he would bring those responsible to justice. Yvonne died shortly afterwards.

John Murray has worked and campaigned tirelessly since that fateful day to keep the promise he made to his fallen friend. We intend to release a series later this year telling the story of what led to Yvonne’s death and what has happened in the years since. It has been described as a story of ‘espionage, betrayal, terrorism and corruption’.

However, John invited us to attend the 40th Anniversary Memorial for Yvonne. It was a well attended event on a sunny spring morning on the street where Yvonne fell 40 years earlier. This short  ‘pre episode’ was recorded minutes before and after that memorial service with some of her colleagues.

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Researched and presented by John & Sally of True Crime Investigators UK.

Produced and edited by the team at Carrotcruncher Media