Janina Jefferson-Burke murder: 5 years on, no suspect

Image copyright Facebook Image caption Eric Jones used a shotgun to kill Janina Jefferson-Burke and then himself

The killing of Janina Jefferson-Burke and her ex-husband have taken five years to find a suspect.

Mr Jones used a shotgun to kill Ms Jefferson-Burke, 42, and then himself in 2011 as she walked home.

He had spent 25 years in prison for the murder of his first wife in 1986 and was released in 2010.

So far police have no lead on his whereabouts.

But a West Midlands Police spokesman has said they do believe he is still in the area.

Media coverage

The couple’s unsolved murder was featured in the BBC Crimewatch investigation ‘Twelve Men and a Gun’ when it was put out in January.

Analysis by former police detective Inspector Jerry Macfarlane and BBC West Midlands Local Investigating Unit commissioned psychologist Dr Georgina Pearce

This was a terrible family tragedy.

Both victims were shot at close range on a residential street in the West Midlands.

Janina had lost a son at three years old and Ms Jefferson-Burke suffered unimaginable heartache.

The last known whereabouts of Mr Jones was in Birmingham, when he was released from jail in 2010.

Following coverage of the investigation in January 2019, a Child Passenger Health Health Club volunteer contacted West Midlands Police following the programme saying they had seen him at the club where he was staying in Sutton Coldfield.

Mr Jones was deemed not at risk and issued with a National Health Service pension.

However, concerns over his security remain.

A West Midlands Police spokesman said police took the allegation very seriously and are continuing with investigations.

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