Detectives heading a manhunt in the wake of Saturday’s shocking slaying in Little Gaddesden have confirmed the name of the victim this morning.
Although a formal identification process has not been completed, a police statement identified the victim as Graham Buck, 66, of Nettleden Road, Little Gaddesden.
According to some media reports Mr Buck was coming to the defence of an elderly neighbour when he was attacked.
A second neighbour who came also came to the man’s aid has been named locally as Colin Fraser. Other media outlets have suggested that Mr Fraser was left to cradle Mr Buck in his arms as he died.
Little Gaddesden Parish Councillor Rob Irving said: “I think everybody is very shocked and horrified by what has happened. It is truly an awful thing.
“It was a violent act of murder and I think it comes as a shock to a small community, which is normally very peaceful.”
Mr Buck lives close to 86-year-old Francis Cory-Wright, who recently served a prison sentence for child abuse in the same jail as the man police are now urgently seeking in connection with the crime.
Old Etonian Cory-Wright abused a 10-year-old boy while he took him on fishing and shooting trips in the late 1970s. The victim kept quiet for more than 30 years until his father’s death, as he did not want him to find out.
Cory-Wright is understood to have been recently released from prison. He was also injured in the attack, and taken to hospital for treatment for injuries he received.
Police have put out an appeal to track down the ‘very dangerous’ Ian John McLoughlin, also known as Ian John Baker, 55, who according to unconfirmed reports has a criminal record including two previous murders.
Anyone who can help the police should contact them as soon as possible by calling the non-emergency number 101 quoting Operation Acaria.
You can also call Crimestoppers, the independent charity, anonymously on 0800 555 111.
{http://www.hemeltoday.co.uk/news/local/breaking-news-police-release-picture-of-man-they-want-to-talk-to-after-murder-in-little-gaddesden-1-5283692|Click here to read our first report of the killing and see the picture of the wanted man released by police on Sunday morning}
{http://www.hemeltoday.co.uk/news/local/murder-update-police-hunt-for-very-dangerous-man-with-stash-of-20-and-50-notes-1-5284077|Wanted man has a stash of cash, say police – click here to read our Sunday afternoon update}
{http://www.hemeltoday.co.uk/news/local/murder-update-neighbours-describe-the-moment-when-armed-police-descended-on-little-gaddesden-1-5284012|Click here to read how neighbours found out about the tragedy in their midst}