A man acquitted of the brutal axe murders of a couple found dead in their bed has conveyed his hope that the real killer will be brought to justice, speaking to the victim’s stepson. Dean Alexander, who was charged with the murders of Brian Price and Susan Tetrault in 1986, has described the case as a “nightmare chapter” in his life.

Unsolved Double Murder in Clapham

Brian Price, 43, and Susan Tetrault, 36, were discovered murdered in their Clapham, South London, home on July 13, 1986. The scene, described as a suspected gangland attack, found the couple naked and severely mutilated. Police investigations initially led to the charging of Dean Alexander, then 25, a convicted bank raider. However, Alexander was ultimately acquitted of the double murder charges at the Old Bailey after a trial.

The case remained officially classified as “detected” by the Metropolitan Police for 37 years, a designation that prevented periodic reviews by cold case units. This classification was based on a suspect having been charged, regardless of the trial’s outcome. Ray, the 66-year-old stepson of Brian Price, has been actively pursuing justice for his stepfather and Susan Tetrault.

A New Dossier and a Plea for Re-examination

On the 40th anniversary of the murders, Ray, alongside criminologist Dr. Kirsty Bennett, compiled an extensive 82-page report. This detailed dossier has been presented to the Metropolitan Police, containing new evidence and arguments for reopening the investigation. Ray expressed his hope that this report, combined with any existing forensic evidence held by the police, would prompt them to re-examine the case and identify the perpetrator.

Ray is advocating for a change in police procedure, urging for a closure of the loophole that allows cases with an acquitted suspect to remain unreviewed for decades. He believes that such cases should be subject to the same periodic re-examination by cold case officers as other unsolved murders.

Police Review and Forensic Testing

In response to the recent efforts, Scotland Yard confirmed that the murders of Brian Price and Susan Tetrault are currently under review. The police stated that items have been submitted for further forensic testing as part of this ongoing re-examination. This marks a significant development after years of the case being dormant due to its “detected” status.

The Accused’s Perspective

Ray, a retired fire training consultant from Birmingham, has dedicated 13 years to investigating the murders. His efforts have included tracking down Dean Alexander, who has since changed his name and is now reportedly the director of a counter-surveillance company serving government and corporate sectors. Alexander, who has consistently denied any involvement in the murders, communicated with Ray via text message.

In a message sent last year, Alexander stated, “I knew nothing of what Brian was doing or who he was involved with. I sincerely hope that it furthers your search for whoever was responsible for your dad’s death. I had not doubted your intentions were genuine. For me I need again to close this complete nightmare chapter in my life.”

He further expressed concern for his wife, who he said had endured similar scrutiny and should not have to relive the events. Alexander also noted that his children were unaware of the situation and respected Ray’s determination to find the truth.

Despite these communications, Alexander has declined Ray’s requests to meet and discuss the case directly. Ray has indicated that Alexander has denied any involvement in the killings.

Background of the Victims and the Suspect

Brian Price was known to be involved in high-level drug trafficking. While incarcerated, he met Dean Alexander, who was then 25 years old and serving time for bank robbery. It is believed that Price and Alexander, along with a Cypriot gangster, had planned to import heroin from Turkey. This alleged drug deal is thought to have soured, and the men had recently returned from the Mediterranean island shortly before the murders occurred.

Susan Tetrault was killed with an axe she kept for chopping wood in her first-floor flat. The victims were found with pillows over their faces and were so severely mutilated that identification was only possible through fingerprints. Alexander, who was pursuing a career as a rock guitarist at the time, admitted to being present in Tetrault’s flat on the night of the murders. He claimed he left to visit his girlfriend but was unable to see her and spent the rest of the night walking the streets.

Evidence and Acquittal

During the investigation, Brian Price’s ring and contacts book were discovered at Alexander’s residence. Additionally, £1,000 in cash belonging to the deceased was found in Alexander’s possession. Despite this evidence and Alexander’s admission of being at the scene, a jury deliberated for 90 minutes before acquitting him of the murders following a two-week trial.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed the review of information provided by Brian Price’s family member, stating, “Officers are reviewing information provided by a family member of Brian Price on Tuesday, 7 July. This case has been under review since the Met was first contacted by a victim’s family member in 2023. As part of this review, evidence has been submitted for further forensic assessment.”

Conclusion

The ongoing review by the Metropolitan Police, spurred by the persistent efforts of Brian Price’s stepson and a criminologist, offers a glimmer of hope for resolving the 40-year-old double murder case. The case highlights the complexities of the justice system and the enduring impact of unsolved crimes on victims’ families, while also bringing to light the perspective of an individual cleared of the charges but still linked to the tragedy.