Date set for Kenyan murder probe

Three people have been cleared of Julie Ward's murder

An inquest into the death of a Suffolk photographer murdered in Africa 16 years ago is to be held this month.

The charred, mutilated remains of Julie Ward, of Brockley Green near Bury St Edmunds, were found in the Masai Mara game reserve in Kenya in 1988.

Peter Dean, Greater Suffolk coroner, said on Thursday he would investigate the death at a hearing on 26 April.

Kenyan authorities initially said Miss Ward had been attacked by wild animals but later admitted it was murder.

However, it was only after an investigation by her father, John Ward, that Kenya altered its conclusion.

Murder trials

Miss Ward was last seen alive at a campsite near the Tanzanian border. Her jeep was later found in the game reserve with SOS written in mud on its roof.

Her burnt remains were found a week later.

Her 70-year-old father has fought to uncover the truth about his daughter's death, travelling to Kenya several times over the past 16 years.

An inquest in Kenya later upheld Mr Ward's claims that his daughter had been murdered.

Two murder trials have been held but on both occasions the accused, Kenyan park rangers, were acquitted.

The British inquest hearing will be held in Ipswich.