Express : SPY DEATH POLICE INQUIRY LEADS TO MYSTERY COUPLE

SPY DEATH POLICE INQUIRY LEADS TO MYSTERY COUPLE

September 7, 2010

A MYSTERY couple were being sought last night by detectives investigating the bizarre death of an MI6 spy.

The man and woman, of Mediterranean appearance and aged 20 to 30, called at codebreaker Gareth Williams’ home shortly before he died.

They “were buzzed” through the communal front door and into the converted Georgian town house in Pimlico, central London. It is not known if they visited the spy’s top-floor flat.

Details of the couple emerged as police released the last known images taken of Mr Williams, 31, before his body was found on August 23 inside a padlocked sports bag dumped in his bath.

The CCTV footage shows him in London on ­Saturday, August 14, and Sunday, August 15, shortly after he returned from a holiday in the US and eight days before his body was discovered.

As police appealed for help to piece together his last movements, there was renewed speculation that the brilliant mathematician had been poisoned or suffocated. ­Scotland Yard has not ruled out the possibility he was assassinated by a rival intelligence outfit.

Initial toxicology tests showed no trace of ­alcohol or drugs. There were no signs of forced entry or a disturbance and nothing appeared to have been stolen from inside the flat.

It is believed further scientific analysis is being carried out on the body to detect tiny traces of radioactive or other toxic materials.

Detective Chief Inspector Jacqueline Sebire said: “I would appeal to anyone who may have seen, or had contact with Gareth between August 11 and 23 to speak to us on 0208 358 0200, or to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.” She added: “This remains a complex unexplained death inquiry.”