POLICE PROBING DEATH OF GOLD JEWELLER EXECUTED IN HIS OWN BATH 36 YEARS AGO SAY ANONYMOUS TIPSTER WHO CONTACTED THEM IN 2004 COULD ‘HOLD THE KEY’ TO SOLVING HIS MURDER

Police today said they are one step closer to solving a 36-year-old murder case - but need a tipster who gave them information 20 years ago to reveal themselves again. Gold dealer Richard 'Ricky' Haywood was gunned down at close range in a professional style execution as he lay in his bath in Southampton in 1989. 
But his killers - who cornered Ricky at his flat and fired five times into his body - were never caught. 
Last year, Hampshire police reopened the case following advances in forensic science and offered a £20,000 reward for anyone with information that could lead to an arrest and conviction. 
They are now on the hunt for an anonymous tipster who provided a clue in 2004, which they believe could 'hold the key' to solving the murder. 
Police found Ricky, 36, on October 16, 1989, after smashing their way into the first floor flat above Ambiance Jewellers in Southampton, Hampshire. 
Today, exactly 36 years on from Ricky's murder, the force have issued an appeal to speak to an anonymous tipster who gave information to Crimestoppers in 2004. 
Police said that the information provided didn't mean much at the time, but information has since come to light that has suggested the tipster could hold the key to cracking the case. 
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary have identified more than 200 people, whom they either spoke to during the course of the investigation or who are new to the case, that they wish to speak to as a part of 'Operation Tango'. 
Senior Investigating Officer Elizabeth Brunt said: 'When we received this information back in 2004 it was just one fragment which, alone, didn't add much to the investigation.
'However, together with new information we've gathered, it is now starting to build a clearer picture.
'We need to speak to the person who contacted us back in 2004 - was this you?
'Are you willing to speak to us again, or make contact 100 per cent anonymously through Crimestoppers?'
Officer Brunt continued: 'We have a team of officers dedicated to this investigation and since we re-opened the investigation in 2024 we've made considerable progress reviewing all the evidence and following new lines of enquiry.
'We believe the killer had at least one accomplice and would like to hear from anyone with information about the killer or those involved.
'We know people from across the country would come down to Southampton to visit Ricky's shop and some of those who knew him at the time have moved out of Hampshire.
'Therefore, we are urging everyone to share our appeal far and wide.'
The officer added: 'For 36 years, Ricky's loved ones have lived without the truth. It's time to change that.
'Whether you speak to us directly, anonymously, or through a third party, please, don't stay silent.
'Doing nothing is no longer an option. Ricky's family deserve answers and closure.'
Crimestoppers, who received the tip-off in 2004, continue to offer a £20,000 reward for information that could lead to an arrest and conviction.
Beth Simpson, South Central West Regional Manager for Crimestoppers, said: 'After more than four decades, someone out there still holds the final piece of information that could help deliver justice for Ricky and closure for his loved ones.
'We know that silence can come from fear or loyalty, but Crimestoppers provides a completely safe way to share what you know without ever revealing your identity.
'We never ask for personal details, calls or online forms are never traced, and you will remain totally anonymous.
'If you remember something, however small it may seem, now is the time to speak up - your information could finally help bring those responsible to justice.'
Ricky was murdered 36 years ago but his killers have never been brought to justice - despite widespread publicity throughout the decades, including a reconstruction on the BBC programme Crimewatch.
The case was reopened last year following advances in forensic science.
At Ricky's inquest, which took place in 1993, Inspector Pat Gratton said: 'I saw a naked, partially submerged body of a man in the bath.
'There was a blood-stained towel screwed up and lying on the floor. I saw two bullet holes in his chest and a small trickle of blood coming from the head.'
The detective leading the hunt for the killers, Superintendent Ray Piper, told the inquest that 11,000 people had been interviewed.
Mr Piper said: 'There is no doubt that he was murdered and the surrounding circumstances suggest it was a professional killing.
'He was shot a number of times at close range by a hand pistol. There were blood wounds to the head and chest.'
Gold dealer Ricky was described after his murder in 1989 as a wheeler-dealer who had many contacts in the criminal world.
Only weeks before his death he took out a life insurance policy for almost a million pounds.
After his inquest, Ricky's mother Phyllis Haywood said: 'I won't rest until my son's murderer is found.'
She had previously offered a £100,00 reward for finding her son's murderers but sadly passed away before this happened.