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A car dealer who died in a hospital parking lot with a gunshot wound to the head is still the subject of an active murder investigation.
John Haselden, 23, was found slumped over in a Ford Escort Cabriolet parked on the grounds of Whiston hospital on December 1, 1997.
Haselden, of Newton-Le-Willows, was shot in the head and died hours later despite receiving urgent medical attention inside the hospital.
At the time, the police said that Mr. Haselden had been dropped off at the scene by a group of men who left in a separate car.
Haselden’s sister spoke to ECHO weeks after the fatal shooting.
She said: “My family’s world was shattered by the news that my little brother John, whom everyone loved, had been brutally murdered.
“John was larger than life and the house was always alive when he was around.
“It was always full of fun and now it’s gone.
“Life is so empty without him and until some justice can be obtained for his murder, we will not rest.”
There were a number of lines of investigation into the murder, one of which involved well-known Netherley man Stephen Lawlor.
In May 1999, Mr. Lawlor was arrested by the police in Liverpool Crown Court in connection with the murder.
(Image: Copyright Unknown)
Officers made the arrest at the end of a hearing on a separate matter.
Lawlor, who denied having anything to do with the murder, was later released. Lawyers representing Mr. Lawlor later threatened legal action against the force.
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Merseyside Police issued a statement to ECHO at the time that said: “After being comforted by the relevant law, Merseyside Police arrested a man with the best of intentions and made a mistake. A man was released when this was committed. error”.
Mr. Lawlor’s attorney then demanded an apology from the force.
ECHO understands that, although Mr. Lawlor was detained, he later received a decision from the police not to take further action in relation to the murder of John Haselden.
Subsequently, Mr. Lawlor was shot and killed in front of a Netherley home in May 2001. ECHO understands that the murder of Mr. Lawlor was not related to the death of Mr. Haselden.
Police are still eager to find those responsible for Haselden’s death.
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A Merseyside police spokesman said: “Although it has been 23 years since the murder of John Haselden, we remain as determined as ever to bring those responsible to justice and conduct regular reviews as with all unsolved murders.
“We know that loyalties change over long periods of time, so if you have new information and now feel able to pass it on, please reach out to us at 101 or through our social media service @MerPolCC on Twitter or ‘Merseyside Police Contact Center ‘ on Facebook.
“You can also speak to the Crimestoppers charity, which is free, anonymous and completely independent from the police, on 0800 555 111.”
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