AT Scotland Yard in 1983, TV crime programme producer Sandy Kaye was in disbelief that she was looking at the weapon Lord Lucan had used to murder his family's nanny.
Sandy, who was given the glimpse at the police HQ's crime museum, called the Black Museum at the time, was allowed to take one photo of the historic items she was being shown.
Now 41 years on the Mirror is publishing that photo. It is the first time the public has seen the murder weapon.
The photo shows the lead piping used to bludgeon to death nanny Sandra Rivett in 1974. The weapon in two pieces - is on the bloodstained mailbag her body was hidden in after the killing.
TV producer Sandy said: "I've kept this photo safe for 41 years - but now it's time for the world to see it.
"It's such an important part of British crime history." On Thursday, it will be 50 years since nanny Sandra, 29, was killed at the Lucan family home in Belgravia, Central London, before Lord Lucan disappeared.
The BBC is running three documentaries this week examining whether Lucan, who would now be 89, managed to escape the UK and get to Australia with the help of his rich friends.
SPECIAL
In 1974, police believed he had been planning to murder his wife and killed the nanny by mistake.
Lady Lucan said her husband also attacked her shortly after. In 1975 an inquest jury named Lucan as Sandra's murderer. He has never been found.
Scotland Yard's notorious museum is not open to the public.
Sandy got access to the collection thanks to her reputation as a respected producer on shows such as Police 5.
Denne historien er fra November 04, 2024-utgaven av Daily Mirror UK.
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Denne historien er fra November 04, 2024-utgaven av Daily Mirror UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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