Murder team in Heath inquiry

DETECTIVES took to Hampstead Heath at the weekend as they continued the hunt for the killer of gay pensioner Roger Hendra.
Police are investigating the possibility that Mr Hendra, 65, was murdered by someone he picked up on the West Heath, a long-established spot for gay cruising.
Mr Hendra, a book-lover described by friends as gentle and highly intelligent, was found with a stab wound to the neck at his home in Pond Street, Hampstead, nearly two weeks ago.
There were no signs of a struggle, burglary or forced entry at the top-floor flat.
Detective Chief Inspector Michael Broster, leading the investigation, said: “We have not established a motive and nothing has been ruled out.
“Mr Hendra’s death may have nothing to do with his sexuality, but he was a gay man living close to Hampstead Heath and it is an avenue we have to look into. Officers have been on the Heath this weekend, and if more information does not come forward this week we may have to do more to actively seek some help.”
Gay men who may have spotted Mr Hendra on the Heath between June 3, the date he was last seen in a Hampstead shop, and June 10, when his body was found, have been urged to come forward.
DCI Broster added: “We know Mr Hendra did use the Heath and that members of the gay community may be hesitant about approaching the police.
“But there are many other ways of coming forward – through the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender group, which is advertised at many gay meeting places, or anonymously through Crimestoppers.”
Police routinely patrol the West Heath to discourage gay sex there.
But last year, in what amounted to a tacit acceptance that there is little they can do to stop cruising on the Heath, police set up a temporary station at Jack Straw’s Castle car park in an attempt to capture ‘Gold Tooth’, a notorious knifeman targeting gay men.
Close work with the gay community led to an arrest.
Officers have yet to track down Mr Hendra’s next of kin, and a funeral may be delayed for several months in case further post-mortems are needed.
At an inquest which opened yesterday (Wednesday), pathologist Dr Ashley Fagan-Earl gave the cause of death as “massive head and neck injuries”.
St Pancras coroner Dr Andrew Reid said: “Someone may be charged with a homicide offence in relation to his death.”