BRICKLAYER Peter Thurgood was found dead with gunshot wounds to the head near his lover Lindy Benstead.
The pair were killed in what was known as the Lovers’ Lane killing in 1986 but the identity of Peter Thurgood’s murderer is still a mystery.
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Who was Peter Thurgood?
Peter Thurgood, 47, was a divorced father of two, who worked as a bricklayer.
Peter lived with his sons, David and Terry, in the Borden and Whitehill area of West Sussex.
He was shot dead in April 1986, while out with married mother-of-three Lindy Benstead, 49.
Peter and Lindy were found on April 22, 1986, just off the A3 at Rake, Hampshire.
Dubbed the Lovers’ Lane killings, the pair were killed at point-blank range with a shotgun.
What happened to Peter Thurgood?
On the morning of April 22, 1986, Peter Thurgood hired a silver Mazda and drove to the Old Thorns Golf Club in Liphook.
Here he collected Lindy Benstead, who worked as a cleaner for the club.
They drove out to an open area just off the A3, now the B2070, north of Petersfield, East Hampshire.
The lovers’ bodies were found with Peter slumped beside the car, he had gunshot wounds to his head and chest.
Lindy was found lying on the ground nearby.
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Has Peter Thurgood’s killer been found?
Peter and Lindy had been having an affair, which was locally known, but police were unable to determine if their deaths were related to that.
Nobody has ever been charged with their deaths.
Lindy’s husband Mick was questioned but had a clear alibi.
The investigation even went to America for answers when a witness came forward in 2018, saying they knew the killer but there was no corroborating evidence.
Police released drone footage in hopes of bringing forward new witnesses and evidence.
Sussex police Detective Superintendent Emma Heater said: “At the time of these tragic murders and since, numerous people have been named as allegedly being involved and two arrests were made.
“All these leads were thoroughly explored but have not led to any further developments or arrests.
“There remain ongoing forensic enquiries, and further items are currently undergoing examination using techniques developed since 1986.
“We remain in contact with both families and they will be updated with any significant developments.
“Although there have been no other developments, as in all such cases we always pursue any new information or forensic opportunities whenever they arise.”
The families of the victims asked for people to step forward with evidence.
Anyone who has information can contact Sussex Police online or by calling 101, quoting Operation Bardwell.
