Ian Cameron with the Rolls Royce Phantom in 2003. (Reuters)
Former Rolls-Royce design chief Ian Cameron, the person who oversaw the automaker’s design renaissance with the Phantom and Ghost ranges, was stabbed to demise at his house in Bavaria (translated) on July 12. German newspaper experiences have recognized a suspect through surveillance digital camera (translated) whom police say is the killer. Apparently, the person went procuring at a retailer lower than a mile from Cameron’s home, then modified garments and confirmed up at Cameron’s door. A surveillance picture earlier than the suspect will get to the home reveals him sporting the objects that neighbors described, notably mild pants, a darkish blue hoodie, a pink backpack and “yellow-green gloves.”
Somebody reportedly reduce the wires on the house safety system, the suggestion being that the suspect or another person concerned had cased the home for at the very least just a few days. It is stated the killer rang the doorbell, attacking as quickly as Cameron opened the entrance door, stabbing the designer to demise. Verena Kloos, Cameron’s spouse, escaped to a neighbor’s home and referred to as police.
This can be a weird incident. Experiences have floated the motivation that the killer needed one of many automobiles in Cameron’s automobile assortment on the Bavarian property. As an alternative of going after a automobile, although, the killer ran off in his distinctive outfit, staying within the open lengthy sufficient for neighbors to present an in depth description. He then modified garments and ditched the backpack on a lakeside promenade not removed from Cameron’s home. Strangest of all, the person apparently left the garments close to the backpack, and the backpack contained objects the person had purchased throughout his procuring journey earlier than the homicide.
On the time of writing, police are looking all through Germany however have not caught the suspect. With a transparent image and a possible trove of DNA proof, authorities have wonderful leads. Anybody who may help is requested to get in contact with the Fürstenfeldbruck Legal Investigation Division at (+49) 8.14.16.120.
Cameron’s profession began at Pininfarina in 1975, culminating in a best hits of designs whereas at BMW. He has exterior design of the third-generation Vary Rover on his resume, in addition to the BMW Z8. It was Cameron’s Phantom, although, that helped create a wholly new Rolls-Royce after BMW purchased the model. CEO Chris Brownridge wrote on LinkedIn that “Ian performed a major position in shaping Rolls-Royce from when it was first acquired by BMW Group and moved to its house at Goodwood, West Sussex. Throughout Ian’s tenure, he led the design staff for all Phantom household and Ghost fashions, creating completely modern motor vehicles that remained sympathetic to the marque’s design lineage. My ideas are with Ian’s household and buddies throughout this very troublesome time.”