Essex Police appeal to anonymous letter-writer in 2012 Harlow arson murders
Essex Police have issued a direct appeal to the anonymous author of a handwritten letter they believe could hold key information about the 2012 house fire in Harlow that killed Dr Sabah Usmani and her five children. Det Ch Insp Louise Metcalfe, who leads the long-running investigation, said the writer appeared reticent to come forward but described the "nightmare" of knowing what they knew.
"What I'm appealing for now is for that person to have confidence to come and talk to me – and we are waiting," she said. Investigators believe the letter, which was posted to Harlow police station last July and is thought to have been written locally, contains details they are very keen to progress.
Metcalfe said it was unusual to find a letter on her desk and that it had been opened and handled by several people before it reached her. Forensic analysis was unable to identify the author. "This letter is clearly written by someone who wants this investigation to progress just as much as we do," she said, adding: "To that person, I would say you can come forward and you will be treated fairly.
What you know could be vital in helping us identify those responsible." Dr Usmani and her children – Hira, 12; Sohaib, 11; Muneeb, nine; Rayyan, six; and Maheen, three – died after a fire broke out in the early hours of 15 October 2012, quickly engulfing their Barn Mead home.
Dr Abdul Shakoor, the only survivor, jumped from an upstairs window to raise the alarm and tried to save his family. A neighbour’s silver Ford Focus was set alight nearby at the same time. Police are treating the deaths as murder, and the inquiry, known as Operation Shakespeare, has been ongoing for almost 14 years.
Metcalfe said she is convinced the answers lie in the Harlow community. "For 14 years, people have been holding us to this and that letter proves to us that people know something," she said. "We need everyone to be brave and come forward."