It's been 20 years since TV presenter Jill Dando was brutally murdered on her doorstep. Closer looks back on the case, and talks to her cousin Judith about coming to terms with the tragedy
A new BBC documentary about the murder of Jill Dando marks 20 years since the beloved TV presenter was shot dead outside her home
As the 37 year old reached her front door in Fulham, London, on 26 April 1999, an unknown attacker came up behind her, forced her to her knees, shooting her once in the head. It was 14 minutes before a neighbour noticed her body and raised the alarm. Jill was taken to Charing Cross Hospital by helicopter, where she was pronounced dead.
In a moving interview, her cousin, Judith Dando, 59, tells Closer about learning to cope with the loss of Jill.
“I think about her every day,” says Judith. “I miss her so much. She was much more than just my cousin, she was my best friend.”
Judith, who lives in Wiltshire with her husband and daughter, Emilie, 22, lived with Jill in London when they were both in their late twenties.
She recalls, “With just an 18-month age gap, Jill and I had always been close. I loved her outgoing nature and her wicked sense of humour.
“We had different schedules – she had to get up at 4am to present the morning news – but at the weekends, we’d drink in our local pub or throw parties for our friends. As she grew more famous, she remained just as down-to-earth as ever. She was a beautiful person.
“When I gave birth to my daughter, Emilie, in 1996, I asked Jill to be her godmother. She adored Emilie and spoilt her rotten.”
READ MORE real life
Couple with 28-year age gap: 'People think my husband is my dad'
In January 1999, four months before she was killed, Jill announced her engagement to gynaecologist Alan Farthing and the wedding was set for that September.
Judith says, “She asked me to be her bridesmaid and was so excited for her big day.”
On the day of Jill’s murder, Judith was driving to the UK from her home in France.
She says, “I was listening to a tape rather than the radio, so I didn’t hear the breaking news that Jill had been killed. Minutes after I got home, my sisters arrived on my doorstep and that they told me she’d died. I was in total shock. Coming to terms with our loss was hard, especially as the nation mourned her too and she was on the front of every newspaper.”
Jill’s murder indeed shocked the nation, and police launched a huge enquiry, but the investigation faced difficulties. Her body had been removed from the crime scene by paramedics, meaning evidence had been disturbed. And there were no witnesses. A neighbour told police he’d heard a scream, and saw a man walking briskly away. Others described a sweaty man on a mobile phone in a nearby park, another crouched by some railings.
But it wasn’t until a year later that an arrest was made. Suspicion fell on local man Barry George – and when a particle of gunshot residue was found in his coat pocket, he was charged. He was found guilty but, after eight years in prison, the evidence against him was deemed unreliable, and his conviction was quashed.
Since then, there have been no new leads, and while the investigation is still open, Jill’s murder remains unsolved.
GALLERY celebrities we've lost in 2019
Celebrity Deaths 2019 - stacked USE THIS ONE
1 of 19Freddie Starr, 76
Freddie Starr, of The Sun's "Freddie Starr ate my hamster" fame, was found dead in May at his home in Spain by a carer.
2 of 19Annalise Braakensiek, 46
Former Play Your Cards Right model Annalise Braakensiek, who worked with TV legend Bruce Forsythe on the show, was found dead in her new house in January 2019. "Everything seems to feel twisted and upside down at the moment," she wrote on social media, shortly before her death. "Life's challenges have been deep, dark, difficult, demanding and down right scary lately."
3 of 19Martha Ross, 79
Jonathan Ross paid tribute to his mum Martha in January 2019 after she died aged 79, She played a stall-holder at Bridge Street Market in EastEnders.
4 of 19Karl Lagerfeld, 85
Fashion powerhouse and Creative Director of Chanel since 1983 and Fendi since 1965, Karl died in Paris in February following a brief period of ill health, continuing to work right up until his death.One of the most prolific and controversial figures in fashion, tributes have poured in for Karl following the tragic news. "Fashion show after fashion show, collection after collection, Karl Lagerfeld left his mark on the legend of Gabrielle Chanel and the history of the House of Chanel," Bruno Pavlovsky, president of fashion at Chanel, said today. "He steadfastly promoted the talent and expertise of Chanel's ateliers and Métiers d'Art, allowing this exceptional know-how to shine throughout the world. The greatest tribute we can pay today is to continue to follow the path he traced by – to quote Karl – 'continuing to embrace the present and invent the future'."
5 of 19Peter Tork, 77
The bassist of 70's pop group the Monkees passed away peacefully at his home in February, aged 77. A statement from his family on his facebook page said,"Peter succumbed to a 10 year bout with adenoid cystic carcinoma, a rare cancer of the salivary glands. Peter's energy, intelligence, silliness, and curiosity were traits that for decades brought laughter and enjoyment to millions, including those of us closest to him. Those traits also equipped him well to take on cancer, a condition he met with unwavering humor and courage.
6 of 19Albert Finney, 82
Legendary actor Albert Finney, who played Daddy Warbucks in Annie, died in February after "a short illness",
7 of 19Mark Hollis, 64
Founder and front-man of 80's synthpop band Mark Hollis died age 64 in February from unspecified causes, with tributes to musician pouring in on Twitter."RIP Mark Hollis. Cousin-in-law," wrote Anthony Costelloe. "Wonderful husband and father. Fascinating and principled man. Retired from the music business 20 years ago but an indefinable musical icon."And a former band mate said, "Musically he was a genius and it was a honour and a privilege to have been in a band with him."I have not seen Mark for many years, but like many musicians of our generation I have been profoundly influenced by his trailblazing musical ideas."
8 of 19Lisa Sheridan, 44
Actress Lisa Sheridan, best known for her roles in CSI: Miami and other US TV series', was found dead in her home aged just 44 in February.
9 of 19Janice Freeman, 33
Janice Freeman, of The Voice fame, has died in March age 33. Her cause of death is thought to be a fatal blood caught caused by an extreme case of pneumonia. "A survivor and fighter, and a beautiful force in this world, Janice gained notoriety through her success on NBC's 'The Voice' as a member of Miley Cyrus' team," a statement said. "Her story inspired fans nationwide, having successfully battled cervical cancer and living her life to the fullest while fighting lupus."
10 of 19Luke Perry, 52
Actor Luke Perry, who starred in Beverly Hills 90210 and Netflix hit Riverdale, has died from a stroke age 52 in March.
11 of 19Keith Flint, 49
Tributes from across the world of music and dance have poured in for The Prodigy frontman Keith Flint, after he was found dead in his Essex property on Monday 4th March. The death is not being treated as suspicious.
12 of 19Mike Thalassitis, 26
Love Island 2017 cast member Mike Thalassitis was found dead in woodland near his home in Essex in March 2019.
13 of 19Jack Saunders, 25
Britain's Got Talent finalist Jack Saunders died in March 2019. He was part of the dance troupe Green Force Five, and had also performed at the Olympics, 2012, as well as on X Factor and Sky's Got To Dance. His girlfriend Frankie has since spoken out about men's mental health, and the importance of seeking help.
14 of 19Alex Mytton's mum
Made in Chelsea's Alex Mytton's mum passed away after a short battle with brain cancer in March."You really were the kindest, most caring, beautiful all-round woman and undoubtedly the biggest force for good in my life," he wrote on Instagram. "I owe you infinitely for shaping me to be the man I am today."
15 of 19Sandy Ratcliff, 70
EastEnders star Sandy Ratcliff, who played cafe owner Sue Osman, sadly passed away at the age of 70.
16 of 19Mya-Lecia Naylor, 16
CBBC fans have been left devastated following the news that TV star Mya-Lecia Naylor has died. The 16-year-old star, who appeared in TV shows Millie Inbetween and Almost Never, passed away on April 7th after collapsing.
17 of 19Elsa Patton, 84
Real Housewives of Miami star Elsa Patton passed away in May aged 84. She rose to fame after her daughter, Marysol Patton was cast in the Miami version of the Real Housewives franchise. "Our beloved Elsa Patton (AKA Mama Elsa) passed away over Mother's Day weekend after a long illness," the family said in a statement. "She was surrounded by her family and close friends. Elsa was predeceased by her husband of 50 years Donald Patton who passed away last February of 2018,"
18 of 19Melissa Ede, 58
Trans lottery winner Melissa Ede, who once told Closer she hoped to outshine Caitlyn Jenner as a trans icon, passed away aged 58 in May 2019. She died less than a week after a 5-day hospital stay after showing 'classic signs' of a heart attack."It does make you think. While I was laid on the bed with ambulance people around me, you do start to think 's**t what is this all about?What am I doing, I have just won £4m and I'm going to peg it?'. I need to be doing more in life," she said.Read more: https://metro.co.uk/2019/05/13/transgender-national-lottery-winner-melissa-ede-dies-58-9511608/?ito=cbshareTwitter: https://twitter.com/MetroUK | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetroUK/
19 of 19Doris Day, 97
Hollywood icon Doris Day has died aged 97.Her roles in some of the biggest films from Hollywood's golden era, including Calamity Jane, Pillow Talk and her hit 1956 record Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be), made into one of the most celebrated film stars of all time.
But Judith doesn’t dwell on unanswered questions.
She says, “To me, who killed Jill was, and still is, almost insignificant. There’ll never be a good enough reason for someone to take her life. I’m not sure I even want to know [who did it]. It can’t bring her back.”
As the 20th anniversary of Jill’s murder approaches, Judith says she is doing something special to honour her memory.
She says, “I knew I wanted to do something to mark the date. I was out running one day when the idea came to me to run the London Marathon. Jill had undergone life-saving heart surgery as a child, so I decided to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation.
“Jill gives me all the motivation I need to train. When I’m outside and the sun is shining, I feel lucky to be living my life, when Jill’s was taken all too soon. I know that during my toughest miles, she’ll be with me.”
She adds, “But I don’t need an anniversary to remember my best friend. My house is full of photos – my favourite is one of Jill with Emilie on her shoulders, both laughing in the sunshine. I still think about Jill every day.
“I have lots of scrapbooks in my loft full of her newspaper clippings and I look at them when I want to feel close to her. Emilie and I talk about her godmother all the time, and we call Jill her guardian angel. I know for certain that the world would be much richer if she were still with us.”
Judith Dando is running the London Marathon for the British Heart Foundation in memory of her cousin, Jill Dando.
The Murder of Jill Dando, ITV1, 25 April, 9pm.