Murder of Julie Ward
Encyclopedia
Julie Ward was murdered in Kenya
in 1988 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 murder
ed, and secondly to try to identify the killer or killers. Three people were charged with her murder, although none have been convicted.
Julie Ward, then 28, was a wildlife
photographer and her burned, dismembered body was found a week after she went missing on a solo photography
safari
in the Masai Mara game reserve
. 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.
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 in order 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..
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
in 1988 whilst on safari
Safari
A safari is an overland journey, usually a trip by tourists to Africa. Traditionally, the term is used for a big-game hunt, but today the term often refers to a trip taken not for the purposes of hunting, but to observe and photograph animals and other wildlife.-Etymology:Entering the English...
in the Masai Mara
Masai Mara
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is a large game reserve in south-western Kenya, which is effectively the northern continuation of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania...
game reserve
Game reserve
A game reserve is an area of land set aside for maintenance of wildlife for tourism or hunting purposes. Many game reserves are located in Africa. Most are open to the public, and tourists commonly take sightseeing safaris or hunt wild game....
. 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 murder
Murder
Murder is the unlawful killing, with malice aforethought, of another human being, and generally this state of mind distinguishes murder from other forms of unlawful homicide...
ed, and secondly to try to identify the killer or killers. Three people were charged with her murder, although none have been convicted.
Julie Ward, then 28, was a wildlife
Wildlife
Wildlife includes all non-domesticated plants, animals and other organisms. Domesticating wild plant and animal species for human benefit has occurred many times all over the planet, and has a major impact on the environment, both positive and negative....
photographer and her burned, dismembered body was found a week after she went missing on a solo photography
Photography
Photography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
safari
Safari
A safari is an overland journey, usually a trip by tourists to Africa. Traditionally, the term is used for a big-game hunt, but today the term often refers to a trip taken not for the purposes of hunting, but to observe and photograph animals and other wildlife.-Etymology:Entering the English...
in the Masai Mara game reserve
Game reserve
A game reserve is an area of land set aside for maintenance of wildlife for tourism or hunting purposes. Many game reserves are located in Africa. Most are open to the public, and tourists commonly take sightseeing safaris or hunt wild game....
. 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
Coroner
A coroner is a government official who* Investigates human deaths* Determines cause of death* Issues death certificates* Maintains death records* Responds to deaths in mass disasters* Identifies unknown dead* Other functions depending on local laws...
's report had been altered to disguise the fact that her bones had been cut by a sharp blade rather than gnawed by animals.
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
Daniel arap Moi
Daniel Toroitich arap Moi was the President of Kenya from 1978 until 2002.Daniel arap Moi is popularly known to Kenyans as 'Nyayo', a Swahili word for 'footsteps'...
of trying to cover up Miss Ward's murder in order to prevent damage to the tourist industry. A former MI6
Secret Intelligence Service
The Secret Intelligence Service is responsible for supplying the British Government with foreign intelligence. Alongside the internal Security Service , the Government Communications Headquarters and the Defence Intelligence , it operates under the formal direction of the Joint Intelligence...
agent
Espionage
Espionage or spying involves an individual obtaining information that is considered secret or confidential without the permission of the holder of the information. Espionage is inherently clandestine, lest the legitimate holder of the information change plans or take other countermeasures once it...
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
Metropolitan Police Service
The Metropolitan Police Service is the territorial police force responsible for Greater London, excluding the "square mile" of the City of London which is the responsibility of the City of London Police...
's anti-terrorism squad
Counter-intelligence and counter-terrorism organizations
Counterintelligence, and closely related counterterrorism, may well be a source of positive intelligence on the opposition's priorities and thinking, not just a defensive measure. Still, foreign intelligence capability is an important part of early warning...
.
Valentine Ohuru Kodipo, a key witness of the murder, died in December 2009..