During the 1980s, a total of 22 British scientists and computer engineers died in mysterious circumstances. A common factor linked all 22: they had all worked with Marconi Electronic Systems and related companies on top secret defence projects.
It began with Professor Keith Bowden, an employee or Marconi, who died in March 1982 in a car accident. His car ran off a highway at speed and landed on a railway line, which killed him instantly. His death was ruled accidental, after high blood alcohol levels were found during autopsy, however his family insist he had not been drinking that night.
Next was Roger Hill, who died in 1985 as a result of a shotgun blast. His death was ruled a suicide.
A few months later, Jonathan Wash – who also had links to Marconi – fell from the balcony of his hotel room in West Africa. He had told his family that he was being watched and suspected his life was in danger, which has led to the belief that he more likely was pushed than fell.
In 1986, Vimal Bhagvangi Dajibhai jumped from the Clifton Suspension Bridge into the waters below. He was linked to Marconi Underwater Systems, a subsidiary of Marconi Electronic Systems.
A few weeks later, Arshad Sharif apparently tied one end of a rope to a tree and the other around his neck. He then got into his car and stepped on the accelerator. This was also ruled a suicide.
Dr John Brittan almost met his end when his car violently lurched across the road during Christmas 1986. He survived, but was extremely lucky to do so. He was less lucky a few weeks later though when he was found dead in his garage, a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Richard Pugh also died in 1987.
Avtar Singh-Gilda worked on a number of Marconi projects disappeared from his home on the same night that John Brittan died. He turned up in Paris fifteen weeks later with no memory of where he had been or what he had done in that period of time.
Peter Peapell, who had consulted on a number of Marconi projects, died in 1987. He was another victim of carbon monoxide in his garage.
Then Marconi engineer David Skeels was found dead in exactly the same circumstances.
Victor Moore was another Marconi employee who died in 1987, reportedly of a drug overdose.
Also in 1981, David Sands – who had a working relationship with Marconi – killed himself. He loaded his car with containers of gas and drove at high speed into an empty restaurant, causing a fatal explosion.
Stuart Gooding died also in 1987 when his car ran head-on into a truck in Cyprus.
On the same day, David Greenhalgh died after falling from a railway bridge at Maidenhead, Berkshire. He was working on the same project as Stuart Gooding.
A week later, Shani Warren – who worked for a company that had just been taken over by Marconi – was found dead in 1.5 foot of water with a gag in her mouth, her feet bound and hands tied behind her back. Her death was ruled a suicide.
Michael Baker died in May 1987 in a car accident in Dorset. He worked for Plessey who became part of British Aerospace when they combined with Marconi.
Carbon monoxide poisoning claimed another victim 10 months later when Trevor Knight – who worked for Marconi Space & Defence Systems – died in his garage.
Brigadier Peter Ferry (who worked for Marconi) died from electrocution in 1988. It was ruled a suicide.
Alistair Beckham, who worked for Plessey, died in the same way during the same year.
Malcolm Puddy died in 1991. He worked for Marconi where he’d told bosses that he’d found something amazing. Within a day, he was found dead in a canal near his home.