A MYSTERY call could hold the key to solving the murder of a jeweller who was executed in his bathtub 36 years ago.
Despite decades of investigation, no one has yet been charged with the cold-blooded murder of Richard Haywood in his flat in 1989.
Gold dealer Richard – known to many as Ricky – was shot multiple times at point-blank range while shaving in the tub at his pad in Southampton.
It was said Ricky, who was just 36, was killed in a “professional” style hit after being caught up in a shady criminal underworld.
Just weeks before his brutal killing, he had mysteriously taken out a £1 million life insurance policy.
And despite his obsession with private security, his CCTV cameras were not recording on that fatal night.
The gunman slaughtered Ricky in his flat above his jewellery shop, Ambience Jewellers, shooting him five times on the evening of October 16 – they were never caught.
Now, 36 years later, a new clue could “hold the key” to solving his murder and bringing his killers to justice.
Hampshire Police is pursuing a mysterious tipster who gave information to Crimestoppers in 2004.
Officers say it didn’t add much to the investigation at the time but now think it could help finally crack the case.
Since re-opening the case last year, the force has re-examined thousands of reports and statements, making “considerable progress” and identifying a number of fresh lines of enquiry.
More than 200 individuals who were either spoken to by cops at the time or are new to investigation are being revisited as part of “Operation Tango”.
Senior Investigating Officer Elizabeth Brunt said: “When we received this information back in 2004 it was just one fragment which, alone, didn’t add much to the investigation.
“However, together with new information we’ve gathered, it is now starting to build a clearer picture. We need to speak to the person who contacted us back in 2004; was this you?
“Are you willing to speak to us again, or make contact 100% anonymously through Crimestoppers?”
A reward of up to £20,000 is still being offered by Crimestoppers for information provided anonymously and exclusively to them that leads to an arrest and conviction.
“We have a team of officers dedicated to this investigation and since we re-opened the investigation in 2024 we’ve made considerable progress reviewing all the evidence and following new lines of enquiry,” Officer Brunt added.
“We believe the killer had at least one accomplice and would like to hear from anyone with information about the killer or those involved.
“We know people from across the country would come down to Southampton to visit Ricky’s shop and some of those who knew him at the time have moved out of Hampshire.
“Therefore, we are urging everyone to share our appeal far and wide.
“For 36 years, Ricky’s loved ones have lived without the truth. It’s time to change that. Whether you speak to us directly, anonymously, or through a third party, please, don’t stay silent.
“Doing nothing is no longer an option. Ricky’s family deserve answers and closure.”
£20k award for information
Crimestoppers is still offering a £20,000 reward for information on the case.
Beth Simpson South Central West Regional Manager for Crimestoppers said: “After more than four decades, someone out there still holds the final piece of information that could help deliver justice for Ricky and closure for his loved ones.
“We know that silence can come from fear or loyalty, but Crimestoppers provides a completely safe way to share what you know without ever revealing your identity.
“We never ask for personal details, calls or online forms are never traced, and you will remain totally anonymous.
“If you remember something, however small it may seem, now is the time to speak up – your information could finally help bring those responsible to justice.”
At the time, detectives said all the evidence pointed towards a “professional killing”.
A 1990 Crimewatch investigation revealed that Ricky was likely shot with an old and worn .22 revolver.
He had apparently been negotiating a deal for a three-acre farm property near Southampton but faced mounting debts.
Superintendent Ray Piper said at the time that Ricky “mixed with some rather shady characters” and had bought stolen property.
Two men were said to have fled from the Southampton area in a suspicious way.
Cops jetted to the US to speak to a lag in an American jail about Ricky’s murder.
Four people were arrested – but no one has ever been charged over the killing.
Ricky’s mum Phyllis went into hiding after his murder for fear her son’s killers were also after her.
She also offered up thousands of pounds as a reward for information but died without knowing who killed her son.
His sister said last year: “We cannot express enough the huge impact Ricky’s death has had on us.
“The pain never goes away. My mum never had peace and it slowly ate away at her.
“She went to her grave never knowing who committed this awful crime.
“I as Ricky’s sister have to live with the pain of his murder and knowing how my mum suffered too.
“We pray this new appeal will urge someone to come forward and hopefully after all these years find justice and closure.”
