Similar attacks studied to catch killer
Although he entered the frame immediately after police discovered he was probably the last person to speak to the 14-year-old, there was little hard fact tying him to the crime. But weeks of careful and painstaking policing finally provided detectives with a breakthrough after they discovered Howard had brought another girl to the spot where the teenager was dumped.
Hannah’s body had lain undiscovered for almost a year and its decomposed state meant any forensic or medical evidence had been virtually destroyed. The only clue police had was a call made to Hannah’s mobile the day she disappeared. It lasted 13 seconds but ultimately led to her death.
After tracing the number, detectives discovered the call had come from a phone belonging to Howard’s then girlfriend, Mary Scollan, but the evidence suggested that it was him who had spoken to Hannah.
Howard’s record of sex attacks on women and girls made him the obvious candidate for the teen’s murder. There was also strong circumstantial evidence tying him to the crime such as his knowledge of Northfleet, where he had lived with Ms Scollan.
An incident room was set up and detectives looked at any other girls he may have been targeting in south London and found a girl that they allege he indecently assaulted.
The significance of the find was some months after Hannah disappeared, Howard had taken the ‘new’ victim to the same ‘blue lakes’ where Hannah had been dumped. It was crucial evidence which - along with various other strands including the link to Arlene Arkinson, whom he was later cleared of killing - would eventually help to convict the 61-year-old.
Commenting on the investigation, Mr Murray said: “I suspect Hannah died on the day she disappeared and we believe there was sexual motive. We can’t say where Hannah died, only Howard can tell us that.”
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