The Unsolved Tragedy of Susan Ovens, Sidney Hickling & Dolphus Smith

 A Quiet Road, A Harrowing Crime: Three Lives Lost

On 24 November 1981, a remote stretch of Ditchford Lane, on the outskirts of Rushden, Northamptonshire, became the scene of unimaginable violence. In the dim light of the early morning, three people were found shot to death in their caravans: Susan Ovens (27), Sidney Hickling (27), and Dolphus Smith (57).

They were travellers, passing through, living modestly in their caravans, and yet their lives were brutally cut short.

Who Were Susan, Sidney, and Dolphus?

Susan Ovens and Sidney Hickling, both aged 27, and Dolphus Smith, aged 57, were not criminals—but human beings with stories, dreams, and families.

On that fateful night, all three were in their caravans parked along Ditchford Lane. It’s a lonely road, surrounded by fields and rural quiet. Yet someone came, someone who carried cold intent—and changed three lives forever.

A Murder That Baffled Investigators

When the bodies were discovered, the nature of the crime immediately raised chilling questions:

• They had been shot at close range in their caravans.

• There were no public reports of robbery, no obvious reason for an intruder to enter.

• The victims were travellers—outsiders in a tight-knit town, perhaps more vulnerable and less likely to have strong witnesses come forward.

Despite intense local shock, early investigations were unable to produce a suspect who was held and convicted. The case went cold, leaving more questions than answers.

Why This Case Still Demands Justice

This is more than a historical crime—it’s a wound that still runs deep. The triple murder of Susan, Sidney, and Dolphus represents:

1. Lives lost unjustly — Three individuals who deserved protection, whose stories ended violently.

2. Marginalised victims — As travellers, they may have faced prejudice and under-resourcing in the investigation.

3. A chilling symbol of impunity — Decades on, no one has answered for their deaths.

Northamptonshire Police themselves have expressed ongoing commitment to cold cases. With advances in forensic science, DNA technology, and renewed public interest, there is hope.

We Need Your Help: Memories, Records, and New Evidence

Our charity, Time 4 Justice, is calling on the public:

• Did you live near Ditchford Lane in 1981?

• Do you remember hearing gunshots, seeing unfamiliar faces, or noticing unusual activity around caravans?

• Do you have old letters, photos, or documents relating to Susan, Sidney, or Dolphus?

• Might there be witnesses who never came forward, or whose memories have faded but can be jogged?

Any piece of information—no matter how small—could be the breakthrough investigators need.

What You Can Do Right Now

1. Contact Northamptonshire Police – Provide them with any detail you recall.

2. Reach out to Time 4 Justice – We support those who wish to report anonymously and help connect families with investigative resources.

3. Spread the Word – Share this story in your community, on social media, and with anyone who may have local knowledge.

4. Support Forensic Review – Help us campaign for a fresh forensic review of the 1981 crime scene, including modern DNA testing.

   
   

They were three human beings. They had families. They had lives.

For more than four decades, no one has answered for what happened to them.

It’s time their voices are heard. It’s time we bring justice to Susan Ovens, Sidney Hickling, and Dolphus Smith.

It’s Time 4 Justice. It’s Time for truth!