It has been more than 34-years since the horrific murder of southeast London Private Detective Daniel Morgan which to this day remains unsolved.
Daniel was murdered on the 10th of March 1987 in the car park of the Golden Lion Public House in Sydenham, London; he was found lying on the ground in a pool of blood with an axe imbedded in his face.
This was not a mugging or a robbery gone wrong. Daniel had his Rolex watch on his wrist and nearly £1100 in his pocket. The murder weapon had been methodically prepared for the attack as the assailant used fabric tape on the handle to mask the weapon from finger prints and to aid in grip. Daniel’s death was an execution.
After 34-years, five failed police investigations and as we, the public, examine the findings of the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel inquiry, ordered in 2013, by then Home Secretary and subsequent Prime Minister Theresa May, no one has ever been convicted of this heinous crime. If you are just learning of this story you may come to ask yourself how this could be possible.
An unsolved killing so horrific and catastrophic that the snowball effect of the ensuing investigations has lead this country into one of the darkest periods in police law enforcement; which segued into the unravelling of the sensational media scandal – Hackgate.
The News of the World/News International phone hacking scandal involved unscrupulous private investigators and journalists together with accusations of police bribery and corruption culminating into part one of The Leveson Inquiry; a judicial public inquiry into the culture, practices and ethics of the British press, chaired by Lord Justice Leveson who was appointed in July 2011.
A series of public hearings were held throughout 2011 and 2012; a government inquiry which is unprecedented in modern times and remains unresolved to this day. Many people are now demanding part two of The Leveson Inquiry be instigated. Some believe connections to the inquiry might exist that could lead all the way back to the murder of Daniel Morgan.
Daniel’s murder has become one of the most expensive unsolved criminal investigations in UK history. Its notoriety should be considered second only to the killings of Jack the Ripper.
This book is a true first-person account of the man Daniel was; written by his close friend and colleague David Bray.
David met Daniel in early 1984 and worked at Southern Investigations closely with Daniel every day in the year prior to his murder. David’s unique insight into who Daniel was, his lifestyle and the day to day workings of Southern Investigations and the world of private investigators makes this a must read for anyone who has followed the investigations and all who would like to get to know the story.
Morganologists around the world will now have a more comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Daniel Morgan from a close friend’s perspective.
The book contains actual witness testimony taken from the transcript of the 1988 inquest into the death of Daniel Morgan; as transcribed by the court reporter.
David was a witness involved at the inquest into the murder of Daniel Morgan. He was granted the status of a properly interested person by the Coroner and as such David received an official copy of the inquest transcript.
Information is also taken from the UK National Archives and Government Databases under licence. David has also utilised certain media sources which, over the years have been reliable in reporting the murder investigations.
Since the 10th of March 1987, David has remained a witness and assisted the authorities in the police investigations. He has stayed patient with an open mind in the hope that one-day true justice might be found.
Until now David has remained silent and has never told his story of what life was really like at Southern Investigations and the world of Daniel Morgan.
“As I write these memoirs I think back to days gone by. At times I struggle with my thoughts and emotions of sadness but I know the reason why I am writing this book; you never forget tragedy.
Let me introduce you to my friend, Danny Morgan….”
Book Reviews
We found the information in your book about Daniel and Alan Holmes particularly significant.
I loved your portrayal of my brother, warts and all.
There was much that I didn’t know because latterly you had much more contact with him than me.
But every line of what you wrote about Daniel and his character rang true for me. I sincerely thank you for that as it has given me a whole lot more to remember about Dan. I hope he’s looking down on us now.” 16th June 2018.
Alastair Morgan, Co Author “Who Killed Daniel Morgan”.
“I have read it from cover to cover.
It is a thorough and heartfelt look at the case and it gives an unheard perspective on your friend. It would be useful to hear your insights and perspective at first hand.
Channel 4 “Murder In The Car Park” producer Adam Wishart, 12th of December 2017- two and a half years prior to the first broadcast of the Channel 4 Docudrama.
5RB Media Law.
“For the record, I found it a fascinating read and, in my humble opinion, you have done your friend justice”.
Victoria Simon-Shore, Barrister –
“David Bray’s book is a very important addition…a very, very important marker, a biomarker of what was really going on.”
Author and Investigative Journalist Laurie Flynn, co-author of the book “The Untouchables”.