Murder mystery that defied science, detectives for decades

Detectives dig out a compound in a homestead in Trans Mara where it is believed the remains of the late Julie Ward were buried. [File, Standard]

What is a father to do when malevolent forces conspire to snatch his only daughter and then pile layers of lies to mask the tragedy that saw her dismembered body dumped in a game sanctuary?

Not even three books, fictionalised films and a hundred trips covering over 1.2 million kilometers between Kenya and Britain in three decades has offered any answers to the mystery of what happened to Julie Ward. The British born wildlife photographer died mysteriously on September 2, 1988 in Masai Mara.

This tragedy started to unfold to Julie who was on her third trip to Kenya in September 1988 after an Australian Couple, Beth Symonds and Murali Varatharagan who were to accompany her on drive to Masai Mara Game reserve changed their plans.