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Former editor's detective work unmasks killer

A former regional newspaper editor has unmasked the killer of a Suffolk farmer more than 60 years after he was murdered.

David Williams, (71), spent 18 months writing and researching his new book Poison Farm, A Murderer Unmasked After 60 Years.

It tells the story of Risby farmer William Murfitt, who died in 1938 after being poisoned by cyanide in his breakfast – and names the person believed to be responsible for the murder for which no-one was ever charged.

David, who spent 50 years in journalism and edited various newspapers including the Evening Echo in Southend, the Brighton Evening Argus and the Bury Free Press, was just six when the original murder investigation took place.

His father was the farmer’s foreman, and David remembers how the murder led to the quiet village of Risby becoming the centre of much press attention.

He said: “I remember the crowds of crime reporters and I often wonder if it affected my future choice of career.”

Indeed, the story stayed with David throughout his career – which also included two spells in Fleet Street and a time spent working for Robert Maxwell – but it was only after his retirement in 1997 that he was able to find the time to start researching the murder case.

During his investigation, David spoke to some of the surviving members of the farmer’s family as well as police and lawyers who were involved in the original inquiry.

He also spent time in the newspaper library at Hendon and the Public Records Office – where he made a crucial discovery.

David said: “I came across an old Scotland Yard report which had been confidential until 1994 when it was moved to the Public Records Office.

“Chief Inspector Leonard Burt identified who the murderer was but lacked the vital edidence to secure a prosecution.”

  • Poison Farm (ISBN 1 85418 259 5) is published by Thorogood and is now available in book shops priced £8.99.

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