Marconi Scientists Mystery
In the 1980′s over two dozen science graduates and experts working for either Marconi or Plessey Defence Systems died in mysterious circumstances, most appearing to be suicides. The MoD (Ministry of Defence) denied these scientists had been involved in classified Star Wars Projects and that the deaths were in any way connected:
March 1982: Professor Keith Bowden, 46
–Expertise: Computer programmer and scientist at Essex University engaged in work for Marconi, who was hailed as an expert on super computers and computer-controlled aircraft.
–Circumstance of Death: Fatal car crash when his vehicle went out of control across a dual carriageway and plunged onto a disused railway line. Police maintained he had been drinking but family and friends all denied the allegation.
–Coroner’s verdict: Accident.
April 1983: Lt-Colonel Anthony Godley, 49
–Expertise: Head of the Work Study Unit at the Royal College of Military Science.
–Circumstance of Death: Disappeared mysteriously in April 1983 without explanation. Presumed dead.
March 1985: Roger Hill, 49
–Expertise: Radar designer and draughtsman with Marconi.
–Circumstance of Death: Died by a shotgun blast at home.
–Coroner’s verdict: Suicide.
November 19, 1985: Jonathan Wash, 29
–Expertise: Digital communications expert who had worked at GEC and at British Telecom’s secret research centre at Martlesham Heath, Suffolk.
–Circumstance of Death: Died as a result of falling from a hotel room in Abidjan, West Africa, while working for British Telecom. He had expressed fears that his life was in danger.
–Coroner’s verdict: Open.
August 4, 1986: Vimal Dajibhai, 24
–Expertise: Computer software engineer with Marconi, responsible for testing computer control systems of Tigerfish and Stingray torpedoes at Marconi Underwater Systems at Croxley Green, Hertfordshire.
–Circumstance of Death: Death by 74m (240ft.) fall from Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol. Police report on the body mentioned a needle-sized puncture wound on the left buttock, but this was later dismissed as being a result of the fall. Dajibhai had been looking forward to starting a new job in the City of London and friends had confirmed that there was no reason for him to commit suicide. At the time of his death he was in the last week of his work with Marconi.
–Coroner’s verdict: Open.
October 1986: Arshad Sharif, 26
–Expertise: Reported to have been working on systems for the detection of submarines by satellite.
–Circumstance of Death: Died as a result of placing a ligature around his neck, tying the other end to a tree and then driving off in his car with the accelerator pedal jammed down. His unusual death was complicated by several issues: Sharif lived near Vimal Dajibhai in Stanmore, Middlesex, he committed suicide in Bristol and, inexplicably, had spent the last night of his life in a rooming house. He had paid for his accommodation in cash and was seen to have a bundle of high-denomination banknotes in his possession. While the police were told of the banknotes, no mention was made of them at the inquest and they were never found. In addition, most of the other guests at the rooming house worked at British Aerospace prior to working for Marconi, Sharif had also worked at British Aerospace on guided weapons technology.
–Coroner’s verdict: Suicide.
January 1987: Richard Pugh, 37
–Expertise: MOD computer consultant and digital communications expert.
–Circumstance of Death: Found dead in his flat in with his feet bound and a plastic bag over his head. Rope was tied around his body, coiling four times around his neck.
–Coroner’s verdict: Accident.
–Expertise: Scientist formerly engaged in top secret work at the Royal College of Military Science at Shrivenham, Oxfordshire, and later deployed in a research department at the MOD.
–Circumstance of Death: Death by carbon monoxide poisoning in his own garage, shortly after returning from a trip to the US in connection with his work.
–Coroner’s verdict: Accident.
February 1987: David Skeels, 43
–Expertise: Engineer with Marconi.
–Circumstance of Death: Found dead in his car with a hosepipe connected to the exhaust.
–Coroner’s verdict: Open.
February 1987: Victor Moore, 46
–Expertise: Design Engineer with Marconi Space and Defence Systems.
–Circumstance of Death: Died from an overdose.
–Coroner’s verdict: Suicide.
February 22, 1987: Peter Peapell, 46
–Expertise: Scientist at the Royal College of Military Science. He had been working on testing titanium for it’s resistance to explosives and the use of computer analysis of signals from metals.
–Circumstance of Death: Found dead allegedly from carbon monoxide poisoning, in his Oxfordshire garage. The circumstances of his death raised some elements of doubt. His wife had found him on his back with his head parallel to the rear car bumper and his mouth in line with the exhaust pipe, with the car engine running. Police were apparently baffled as to how he could have manoeuvred into the position in which he was found.
–Coroner’s verdict: Open. More>>
