Scottish Murders Presents
John from
Persons Unknown
- The Ann Heron Murder

 

Episode Summary

This week Dawn is joined by John from the Persons Unknown podcast, who tells us the story of Ann Heron’s unsolved murder.

This is part one. You can listen to part two straight after by visiting the Persons Unknown podcast.

In the summer of 1990, Ann Heron’s life was tragically cut short. John Dobson from the Persons Unknown podcast tells the story of this unsolved murder, tracing Ann’s early life in Scotland, her move to England, and her marriage to Peter Heron. On a sweltering August day, after shopping in Darlington in the North East of England, Ann returned to Aeolian House. Ann’s body was later found by her husband. With no murder weapon, a questionable sexual motive, and Peter’s affair complicating the investigation, the case grew cold. Key sightings of a blue car and a mysterious jogger yielded no solid leads. Despite extensive efforts, including 5000 interviews and 2700 vehicles being checked, the identity of Ann’s killer remains a mystery, leaving Ann and Peter’s family searching for answers.

 

In this episode we also hear from Ann’s son, Ralph Cockburn.

Thank you to John Dobson from the Persons Unknown podcast for researching and narrating this episode, and to Ralph for speaking with me and giving an insight into his mum, Ann Heron.

Please Be Advised – This episode may contain content that some may find distressing. As always, we advise listener discretion. This episode it not suitable for anyone under the age of 13.

Listen on:

Episode Summary

This week Dawn is joined by John from the Unknown Persons podcast, who tells us the story of Ann Heron’s unsolved murder.

Part Two:
The Unresolved Case of Ann Heron’s Murder

In part two we continue the story of Ann Heron’s murder with an arrest being made in November 2005. However, this person was later released due to insufficient evidence. Despite various leads and suspects, including Christopher Halliwell and others, sadly this case remains open, although Durham Police and Ann’s family continue to seek information, hoping to solve the mystery that has persisted for decades. The case’s complexity is underscored by conflicting theories, the lack of definitive forensic evidence, and the emotional toll on the families involved. The search for justice continues, with the hope that new advances in forensic science will finally provide the answers needed to close the chapter on Ann Heron’s murder.

 

In this episode we also hear from Ann’s son, Ralph Cockburn, and former Journalist, Chris Webber, who spoke with both Anne Marie (Ann’s daughter) and Peter Heron.

Thank you to John Dobson from the Persons Unknown podcast for researching and narrating this episode, and to Ralph for speaking with me and giving an insight into his mum, Ann Heron.

Please Be Advised – This episode may contain content that some may find distressing. As always, we advise listener discretion. This episode it not suitable for anyone under the age of 13.

Listen on:

Newspapers.com

Sunday Sun

05/08/90

19/08/90

26/08/90

28/07/91

04/08/91

21/06/92

18/10/92

03/09/95

The Journal (Newcastle)

08/08/90

11/08/90

20/08/90

21/08/90

23/08/90

24/08/90

29/08/90

24/12/90

06/08/91

15/10/91

19/10/91

31/07/92

18/01/93

04/08/93

05/10/94

14/11/94

23/08/95

Evening Post

11/08/90

Wales on Sunday

12/08/90

Huddersfield Examiner

17/04/91

Daily Record

18/04/91

20/07/92

Birmingham Evening Mail

18/04/91

11/06/92

Guardian

06/10/94

Leicester Mercury

07/10/94

 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/19601765/who-was-ann-heron-and-what-happened-to-her/amp/&ved=2ahUKEwi7uqH4oJ6EAxWpRkEAHe3_DDIQFnoECBsQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1DjZIpjou-eJtsZpVbteFF

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/escaped-convict-confessed-murder-ann-23827135.amp&ved=2ahUKEwi7uqH4oJ6EAxWpRkEAHe3_DDIQFnoECCsQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3Cla8a3gKo6IUI9-tTbziP

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.durham.police.uk/News/News-Articles/2023/August/Fresh-appeal-for-information-on-anniversary-of-Ann-Herons-murder.aspx&ved=2ahUKEwi7uqH4oJ6EAxWpRkEAHe3_DDIQFnoECCcQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0sgr-nZAWzeOAeXjic8r_S

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/ann-heron-murder-glasgow-mums-24872835.amp&ved=2ahUKEwi7uqH4oJ6EAxWpRkEAHe3_DDIQFnoECDEQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1n_p5IuE6RCqoDwlu8RFIf

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-66430635.amp&ved=2ahUKEwi7uqH4oJ6EAxWpRkEAHe3_DDIQFnoECCkQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1mGoWOzdNVqtSHJLtpSJmQ

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/ann-heron-what-happened-true-story-unsolved-murder-durham-channel-5-documentary-1813685&ved=2ahUKEwi7uqH4oJ6EAxWpRkEAHe3_DDIQFnoECCwQAQ&usg=AOvVaw38kS8iMRQzeY_L9ILZOUTB

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.channel5.com/the-mysterious-murder-of-ann-heron&ved=2ahUKEwi7uqH4oJ6EAxWpRkEAHe3_DDIQFnoECC4QAQ&usg=AOvVaw1lO_nm9OMJ7xQBRCQJWI3v

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/ann-heron-murder-case-review-23875208.amp&ved=2ahUKEwjA8cXPo56EAxW7V0EAHcLFArM4ChAWegQICBAB&usg=AOvVaw1LqHmvGm1kKXii8v-z6XQU

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=http://www.unsolved-murders.co.uk/murder-content.php%3Fkey%3D613%26termRef%3DAnn%2520Heron&ved=2ahUKEwjA8cXPo56EAxW7V0EAHcLFArM4ChAWegQIAxAB&usg=AOvVaw16YeKSP5EoIq6XM-DbvlBZ

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2022-05-03/ann-herons-cold-case-murder-re-examined-as-part-of-documentary&ved=2ahUKEwiImvjvo56EAxWAUkEAHcs3BtI4FBAWegQIBhAB&usg=AOvVaw2RcgvEV2G_i2LQPFW_iXzJ

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/son-ann-heron-makes-emotional-18734569

https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/13578032.innocent-time-clear-name—peter-herons-letter-durham-police-chief/

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/ann-herons-murder-accused-husband-30636647.amp&ved=2ahUKEwiImvjvo56EAxWAUkEAHcs3BtI4FBAWegQIDBAB&usg=AOvVaw266qcNH-lHw6VEQRp5MVSs

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-56828223.amp&ved=2ahUKEwi17LGSpZ6EAxVFQkEAHeKwDbo4HhAWegQIFhAB&usg=AOvVaw0Jz2UctNEZh34F-5zgVLGP

https://youtu.be/ZfaliAEDIF8?si=TTtAuZfe1GdhOPmV

https://youtu.be/ZyhXJ3dx3Ck?si=kn4fac96tLvyq3-A

Scottish Murders is a production of Cluarantonn

Hosted by Dawn

Guests – John from the Persons Unknown Podcast

Researched and narrated by John Dobson

Edited and Produced by Erin Ferguson – instagram.com/erinfergus0n/

and John Dobson Persons Unknown Podcast

Production Company Name by Granny Robertson

 

Intro and Outro Music:

Dawn of the Fairies by Derek & Brandon Fiechter

 

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Scottish Murders is a member of the Darkcast Network.