Police issue fresh plea in unsolved case of murdered gay man left in a ditch 25 years ago
Police are looking for fresh leads into the murder of Robert Marsom in 1996 (Cambridgeshire Police)
Police are appealing to the LGBT+ community for help solving a gay man’s murder on the 25th anniversary of his death.
Russell Marsom, 29, was found dead in a water-filled ditch next to the A10 in Milton, near Cambridge, on 31 March, 1996.
He ran a hairdressing business in his home village of Heacham, Norfolk, but regularly travelled to Cambridge for the LGBT+ nightlife. He is believed to have gone clubbing on the night of his murder.
His partially-clothed body was found by a dog walker. A post-mortem examination showed he had drowned, but exactly how he ended up in the ditch has never been determined.
Marsom’s killer was never found, and police are now issuing a fresh plea to LGBT+ people who may have been too afraid to come forward with information 25 years ago.
“Like all cold cases, the murder of Russell Marsom in 1996 has never been closed and never will be until we bring those responsible to justice,” said Mick Flavin of the Beds, Cambs and Herts Major Crime Unit.
“Officers conduct regular reviews of all cold cases in the hope of finding new leads. Your information, no matter how small or insignificant you may think it, could help build a bigger picture and bring Russell’s killer(s) to justice.”
Police are keen to speak to anyone who may have been in the Jesus Green and surrounding Cambridge city areas, including the Dot Cotton club, between 10pm on Saturday 30 March ,1996 and 10am the following day.
They also want to hear from anyone who may have been travelling in either direction along the A10 at Milton between 9.45pm on Saturday 30 March and 1am on Sunday 31 March, 1996, and may have seen a vehicle and/or pedestrian in the area just outside Milton.
“We appreciate this tragic event happened nearly 25 years ago, but we believe there are people out there who knew Russell and may be able to shed some light on what happened to him,” Flavin added.
“These people may not have felt comfortable speaking to police at the time, but might feel differently now.
“Our investigation can’t bring Russell back, but justice has been a long time coming for Russell and his family and I would urge anyone with information to please come forward and share it with us.”
Anyone with information regarding the murder should contact police via the dedicated portal. If you would prefer to be contacted by one of the force’s LGBTQ+ Liaison Officers, please leave your details and someone from the team will be in touch.
