Police say they may have made a significant breakthrough in the long-running investigation into the murder of gold dealer Richard “Ricky” Haywood, after arresting a man on suspicion of murder.
Mr Haywood, 36, was shot dead on October 16, 1989, in what detectives have described as a professional-style execution, after gunmen trapped him in the bathroom of his flat in Southampton.
No one was brought to justice for the killing, and the case remained unsolved for more than three decades.
The investigation was reopened in 2024 after advances in forensic science, with Crimestoppers also offering a £20,000 reward for information that leads to a conviction.
Detectives said they were particularly keen to identify an anonymous caller who contacted the charity in 2004, as they now believe the information provided could be vital to the inquiry.
Although the tip-off did not appear significant at the time, officers later received fresh information indicating it may play a crucial role in solving Mr Haywood’s murder.
Hampshire Constabulary confirmed on Tuesday that a 55-year-old man from Southampton had been arrested on suspicion of murder.
The arrest is the first made in connection with the case and represents the most important development in the investigation since Mr Haywood was killed.
A 55-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murder of Richard ‘Ricky’ Haywood (pictured), who was executed at point-blank range in his bathroom in 1989
Ricky (pictured) was described as having contacts in the criminal underworld and was killed in what detectives believed was a professional hit on October 16, 1989
Ricky was shot five times in his flat, which was above his shop The Gold Exchange (pictured)
Police found Ricky, 36, on October 16, 1989, after smashing their way into his first floor flat above Ambiance Jewellers in Southampton, Hampshire.
The gold dealer, who was found dead in the bath, had been shot five times.
At an inquest 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.’
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said: ‘Detectives have made an arrest in connection with the 1989 murder of Ricky Haywood.
‘Richard Haywood, known to many as Ricky, was 36-years-old when he was shot multiple times in his flat above Ambiance Jewellers on Shirley Road, Southampton, on October 16, 1989.
‘Today, Tuesday, July 14, a 55-year-old man from Southampton was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.
‘As our investigation continues we are still appealing for anyone with information to come forward. No matter how small or insignificant it may seem, your information could be vital.’
His mother Phyllis Haywood told the inquest: ‘I won’t rest until my son’s murderer is found’
Ricky’s sister Ann Haywood is pictured with their mother Phyllis Haywood in 2004
Police have made the first ever arrest in connection with the unsolved murder of Mr Haywood (his Southampton flat is pictured centre)
Anyone with information has been urged to contact police quoting Operation Tango.
Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information provided directly to the charity that leads to a conviction. The reward expires on August 14.
The murder attracted widespread publicity over the years, including a reconstruction on BBC programme Crimewatch.
Following his death, Mr Haywood was described as a wheeler-dealer with contacts in the criminal underworld.
Just weeks before he was killed, he took out a £1million life insurance policy and became obsessed with private security.
His mother Phyllis Haywood told the 1993 inquest: ‘I won’t rest until my son’s murderer is found.’
She offered a substantial reward for information that would lead to her son’s killer but sadly died before anyone could be brought to justice.
Detective Superintendent Ray Piper, who led the original investigation, told the inquest that around 11,000 people had been interviewed.
Pictured is an artist’s impression of the suspect released during the investigation
Senior Investigating Officer Elizabeth Brunt is pictured during an earlier appeal
Police (pictured in 1989) interviewed around 11,000 people during the investigation
He 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 handgun. There were wounds to the head and chest.’
Last year, Hampshire police said they had identified 200 people they wanted to speak to as part of Operation Tango.
This included individuals linked to the original investigation and others who had come to light more recently.
Senior Investigating Officer Elizabeth Brunt said of the 2004 anonymous tipster: ‘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.’
