Conspiracy theories: Hilda Murrell

Was a 78-year-old murdered by British agents? Had she asked too many awkward questions about nuclear energy? Was she in possession of naval intelligence? How was her killing solved after 20 years?

On a morning in March 1984, Hilda Murrell disappeared.

Most people in Shrewsbury knew the 78-year-old as a champion rose-grower. She won contests in her home town - and even at the Chelsea Flower Show.

But she had also dedicated her retirement to activism. Had Hilda been silenced because of her beliefs?

Hilda was last seen going into her home late in the morning on Wednesday March 21st 1984.

At 2pm, her white Renault saloon car was found on the other side of town by. a farmer. It was parked badly in a verge. No-one was in it.

At 5.20pm, the farmer called an off-duty policeman.

Later, the two men made a quick search of the lane, a nearby field and glanced at a coppice, but there was no sign of anyone.

The officer checked the Police National Computer and found the car was registered to Hilda Murrell.

He tried calling Hilda, but there was no reply.

Two days later, the car was still there and the policeman went to Hilda’s home.

There, they saw her handbag on the table next to paperwork.

Another officer returned the following day and searched her home properly. Cupboard doors were open, the phone line to her breakfast room appeared disconnected a balustrade was broken.

He became worried and asked for another search near Hilda’s car.

There, three days after Hilda Murrell was last seen alive, her body was found in a coppice next to a field.