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Becky · #1 10-30-2003, 01:06 AM

Police to Search Garden for Missing Salesman

By Ben Mitchell, PA News

Police were preparing to dig up a garden today in the hunt for a missing timeshare salesman who police believe was murdered.

Kevin John Palmer, who lived in Spain with his wife and daughter, disappeared on March 13, 1999, on a visit to the UK.

Mr Palmer, originally from the north east of England, was last seen visiting a country club in Hampshire before a fight ensued and the 27-year-old disappeared.

Police believe Mr Palmer, described by police as a family man, was then taken to an address in Hoe Road, Bishop’s Waltham, Hants.

The house was understood to belong to drug dealer John Howett, who was convicted in 2002 for importing cannabis and is currently serving a 12-year sentence.

Detectives and specialist crime scene officers have been carrying out detailed searches of the semi-detached house for more than a week in connection with the murder inquiry.

Detective Inspector Alison Scott said today the next step being considered by the search officers was to dig up the garden.

She said: “We are still examining the house for links to Mr Palmer. If that leads us to dig up the garden then we will do it.”

Mr Palmer, known as John or John Bon Jovi (correct), was first reported missing after he returned to the UK on March 12, 1999.

Police said he travelled to Hampshire and visited the Sir Joseph Paxton pub in Hunts Pond Road, Locks Heath, and then went to the Abshot Hotel and Country Club with at least four other people.

He left the club at 1am on March 13 when he was picked up in a taxi with two men and a woman.

The taxi stopped near the village of Burridge where the three men got out and a fight ensued, according to police.

Two men then got back into the taxi and continued the journey to Hoe Road. Police believe Mr Palmer was taken at some point to Hoe Road.

DI Scott said: “This is the last time John Palmer was seen alive. Now we urgently need the public’s help in filling in the missing gaps in what we believe were the last few hours of John Palmer’s life.”

She explained the murder inquiry was launched following a review by police in the North East of Mr Palmer’s missing persons’s case.

DI Scott said: “Following an extensive and protracted investigation, officers have officially launched a murder inquiry. We do not know at this stage what the motive is.”

A 51-year-old man from the Bishop’s Waltham area was arrested yesterday on suspicion of murder and has been bailed pending further inquiries.