Family's desperate plea for answers 37 years after Southampton man shot dead in unsolved murder

The family of a Southampton man who was shot dead in his flat 37 years ago are making a fresh and emotional appeal for information, as detectives continue their investigation into his unsolved murder.

Richard Haywood, known to friends and family as Ricky, was just 36 when he was shot multiple times at close range in his flat above Ambiance Jewellers in Shirley Road, Southampton, on 16 October 1989.

Despite nearly four decades of investigations, nobody has ever been charged with his murder.

Today, Friday 16 October, marks exactly 37 years since his death, and detectives believe there are still people who know what happened that night.

Hampshire Police reopened the investigation in 2024 and have since examined thousands of reports and witness statements, uncovering new lines of enquiry.

Officers have visited more than 300 people, including individuals spoken to during the original investigation and others identified through the renewed enquiries.

In July this year, a 55-year-old man from Southampton was arrested on suspicion of murder. He was subsequently released without charge.

For Ricky's family, the anniversary is another painful reminder of the unanswered questions surrounding his death.

His sister, Ann, has spoken of the devastating impact the murder has had on the family and is urging anyone with information to finally come forward.

She said: "Thirty-seven years have passed since Ricky was taken from us, but the pain of losing him has never gone away.

"We have lived for decades without answers, never knowing why this happened or who was responsible.

"I am incredibly grateful to the police and everyone for their dedication and hard work over the years, but we still need the truth. If you know what happened to Ricky, or why he was killed, please tell the police now. After all this time, we desperately need answers and the chance to finally find some closure."

Officers investigating Ricky's murder believe the person responsible may not have acted alone and are appealing for anyone with information about those involved to speak to police.

Senior Investigating Officer Elizabeth Brunt said: "We have a team of officers dedicated to this investigation and, since reopening the case, we've made considerable progress reviewing all the evidence and pursuing new lines of enquiry.

"For 37 years, Ricky's family have had to live with the devastating consequences of not knowing exactly what happened or who was responsible for taking their loved one from them. They deserve answers and we need to secure justice for Ricky.

"We believe there are people who still hold information about Ricky's murder and the circumstances surrounding it. Information that may have seemed insignificant at the time could now be vital in helping us build a clearer picture of what happened.

"We believe the person responsible did not act alone and we would like to hear from anyone with information about those involved.

"We know people travelled to Southampton from across the country to visit Ricky's shop and that many who knew him at the time may no longer live in Hampshire. That's why we're asking people to share this appeal as widely as possible.

"Doing nothing is no longer an option. No matter how small or insignificant you think your information may be, please come forward. It could be the missing piece that helps us solve this case."

Detectives are particularly keen to reach people who knew Ricky or visited his business in Southampton during the 1980s.

Police say even information that appeared unimportant at the time could now prove vital in establishing exactly what happened and identifying those responsible.

They are also encouraging people who have since moved away from Hampshire to share the appeal.

Anyone with information about Ricky's murder is asked to contact Hampshire Police on 101, quoting Operation Tango and reference 44080416574.

Information can also be submitted directly through the Operation Tango investigation portal.

Thirty-seven years after Ricky's death, his family remain hopeful that someone will finally come forward with the information that could bring them the answers they have waited decades to hear.

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