A WANTED appeal for a couple related to a murdered 21-year-old man has received an ‘excellent response’ following coverage on BBC’s Crimewatch.
Detectives investigating the murder of Thomas Ward, who was shot in the chest at a caravan site in Dyes Lane, Stevenage, on April 23, have said they are looking at a number of lines of inquiry following last night’s programme on BBC One.
Images of 32-year-old John Boy Ward and his wife 21-year-old Joleen Josie Ward were shown on the programme along with CCTV clips of vehicles officers would also like information about.
John Boy Ward, who is the second cousin of Thomas, is wanted on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. Joleen Josie Ward, who is pregnant, is wanted on suspicion of assisting an offender. Both lived at Clarkson Court in Hatfield.
Twenty-one-year-old year old Thomas died after three men attacked his caravan.
As Thomas came out of the caravan he was shot in the chest.
His wife and five day old child were inside at the time. Thomas then ran from the caravan before being found by his family unconscious in undergrowth nearby. He later died in hospital.
Detective chief inspector Sharn Basra, who is leading the investigation, said: “We had an excellent response to our appeals for information last night and I would like to thank all those who made contact. We are now looking at a number of further lines of inquiry.
“However, our appeals for information on the whereabouts of John Boy and Joleen Josie Ward continue. We believe the couple left the country in the days after the murder and may be in Europe. However, they do both have links to North London. I would urge anyone who knows where they are to contact the police incident room or Crimestoppers.”
Officers are also continuing their appeals for information about three vehicles believed to be connected to the investigation.
The cars are a white Audi, which was displaying a cloned registration RV59 HSK. This vehicle was seen in convoy with a white Volkswagen Golf 10 minutes before the murder. The third vehicle is a black Mercedes C250. John Boy is believed to have used this vehicle to leave the home in Hatfield before driving to Barnet, North London in the early hours of April 24.
DCI Basra continued: “We have since recovered the white Audi but would appeal for anyone who saw this vehicle on the night of the murder, and any of the other vehicles mentioned since that evening to contact police.
“Those involved in Thomas’s murder should be brought to justice and I would urge anyone with any information which can assist our investigation to contact police or Crimestoppers immediately.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room on 01707 355666.
A reward of up to £5,000 is being offered by Crimestoppers for information as part of the investigation. The reward will be given to anyone who provides the independent charity with information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person or persons linked to the incident. You can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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