Man, 55, is arrested over unsolved murder of gold dealer executed in the bath tub 37 years ago

By OLIVIA DAY, ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR, AUSTRALIA Published: 11:49, 14 July 2026 | Updated: 11:49, 14 July 2026 Police believe they have made a major breakthrough in the unsolved murder of gold dealer Richard 'Ricky' Haywood after arresting a man on suspicion of murder.  Mr Haywood, 36, was shot dead in a professional-style execution after gunmen cornered him in the bathroom of his Southampton flat on October 16, 1989. His killers were never caught and the case remained unsolved for decades. The investigation was reopened in 2024 following advances in forensic science, while Crimestoppers offered a £20,000 reward for information leading to a conviction. Detectives said they were trying to trace an anonymous tipster who contacted the charity in 2004, believing the information could be the key to cracking the case. At the time, the tip appeared insignificant. However, officers later obtained new information which suggested it could prove crucial to solving Mr Haywood's murder. On Tuesday, Hampshire Constabulary said a 55-year-old Southampton man had been arrested on suspicion of murder in the first arrest made in connection with the case. The arrest, the first in connection with the case, marks the most significant development in the investigation in the decades since Mr Haywood was killed.  A 55-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murder of Richard 'Ricky' Haywood (pictured), who was executed at point-blank range in his bathroom in 1989 Ricky (pictured) was described as having contacts in the criminal underworld and was killed in what detectives believed was a professional hit on October 16, 1989 Ricky was shot five times in his flat, which was above his shop The Gold Exchange (pictured) Police found Ricky, 36, on October 16, 1989, after smashing their way into his first floor flat above Ambiance Jewellers in Southampton, Hampshire. The gold dealer, who was found dead in the bath, had been shot five times.  At an inquest in 1993, Inspector Pat Gratton said: 'I saw a naked, partially submerged body of a man in the bath. 'There was a blood-stained towel screwed up and lying on the floor. I saw two bullet holes in his chest and a small trickle of blood coming from the head.' Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said: 'Detectives have made an arrest in connection with the 1989 murder of Ricky Haywood. 'Richard Haywood, known to many as Ricky, was 36-years-old when he was shot multiple times in his flat above Ambiance Jewellers on Shirley Road, Southampton, on October 16, 1989. 'Today, Tuesday, July 14, a 55-year-old man from Southampton was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody. 'As our investigation continues we are still appealing for anyone with information to come forward. No matter how small or insignificant it may seem, your information could be vital.' His mother Phyllis Haywood told the inquest: 'I won't rest until my son's murderer is found' Ricky's sister Ann Haywood is pictured with their mother Phyllis Haywood in 2004 Police have made the first ever arrest in connection with the unsolved murder of Mr Haywood (his Southampton flat is pictured centre) Anyone with information has been urged to contact police quoting Operation Tango. Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information provided directly to the charity that leads to a conviction. The reward expires on August 14. The murder attracted widespread publicity over the years, including a reconstruction on BBC programme Crimewatch. Following his death, Mr Haywood was described as a wheeler-dealer with contacts in the criminal underworld. Just weeks before he was killed, he took out a £1million life insurance policy and became obsessed with private security. His mother Phyllis Haywood told the 1993 inquest: 'I won't rest until my son's murderer is found.' She offered a substantial reward for information that would lead to her son's killer but sadly died before anyone could be brought to justice.  Detective Superintendent Ray Piper, who led the original investigation, told the inquest that around 11,000 people had been interviewed. Pictured is an artist's impression of the suspect released during the investigation Senior Investigating Officer Elizabeth Brunt is pictured during an earlier appeal Police (pictured in 1989) interviewed around 11,000 people during the investigation He said: 'There is no doubt that he was murdered and the surrounding circumstances suggest it was a professional killing. 'He was shot a number of times at close range by a handgun. There were wounds to the head and chest.' Last year, Hampshire police said they had identified 200 people they wanted to speak to as part of Operation Tango.  This included individuals linked to the original investigation and others who had come to light more recently. Senior Investigating Officer Elizabeth Brunt said of the 2004 anonymous tipster: 'When we received this information back in 2004 it was just one fragment which, alone, didn't add much to the investigation. 'However, together with new information we've gathered, it is now starting to build a clearer picture.' Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.