The widow of famous missing person Lord Lucan has been found dead at her home in London's Belgravia. The police forced entry to her home on Tuesday. At this time, they do not suspect foul play and her death is not being treated as suspicious.
Her husband, John Bingham, disappeared in 1974. Known around the world as 'Lord Lucan', Bingham has not been seen since and his body has never been found. Famously, last year a High Court Judge allowed a death certificate to be released.
This has not prevented John Bingham from being one of the most celebrated missing persons in history.
There have been frequently reported sightings of him ever since his disappearance. His car was found after he vanished. It had been abandoned and the interior of the vehicle was covered in blood.
Bingham was also named as the main suspect in a murder case a year later.
Veronica, Dowager Countess
Veronica Bingham was found after officers were sent to investigate concerns around an elderly person's safety and welfare. There had been a three-day absence, and neighbours had alerted the police. Inside the Eaton Row address, she was found to be unresponsive. The police have stated that they are awaiting final confirmation, but are reasonably certain that the deceased is Lady Lucan.
Veronica had made an appearance on TV earlier this year when she discussed the possibility of her husband being a victim of suicide.
The sensational events surrounding Lord Lucan's disappearance include the murder of the family nanny. The body of Ms. Rivett was found at the Lucan home in 1974, just before Lord Lucan disappeared. The 'attacker' also turned on Lady Lucan. She suffered a serious assault, with a number of substantial head wounds, but managed to escape, and fled to a nearby pub.
Veronica Bingham had suffered from depression, and she made no secret of the fact that her husband also had the illness. He would beat her, but she always maintained the beatings were 'measured', and that the two of them often had sexual intercourse afterward.
The New Lord Lucan
George Bingham is the eighth Lucan to hold the title, and has stated that his mother passed away 'alone and apparently peacefully'.
George applied to have a death certificate issued for the missing Lord, in order for him to inherit the family title.
During the judgment in 2016, that enabled a death certificate to be released, the High Court ruled that John Bingham was presumed to be dead.
