The Aftermath

Where's the body

Although it is most likely that Lucan killed himself within a short time of the events that unfolded on 7 November 1974, it was widely rumoured that he had managed to escape with the assistance of his wealthy friends, and there have been numerous sightings over the years in places as far apart as Australia and South Africa. More recently, there have been claims that his body is on the estate of the Maxwell-Scott’s, and that his car was driven to Newhaven to mislead the police, but no proof of this allegation has ever been found.Despite Lucan’s claims to have the welfare of his children at heart, his attempts to save his name have only served to cause them grief in subsequent years. The absence of a body, and lack of a death certificate, is especially complicated for the aristocracy. The financial crisis, brought on by gambling debts, was made worse by huge legal fees resulting from attempts to wind up his estate. Although he was declared officially dead in 1999, an attempt by his son to claim his father’s seat in the House of Lords was refused. He is forced to use the courtesy title, Lord Bingham.

Many of Lucan’s aristocratic set maintain that his wife was responsible for his predicament, and her continuing mental health problems have also caused estrangement between Lady Lucan and her children. Their son, George, chose to be adopted by his aunt and uncle at the age of 15, when Lady Lucan was admitted to a psychiatric facility, and Lady Lucan also claims that he stole property from her home during her absence. Camilla, Lady Lucan’s younger daughter, refused to accept that her father was dead, and did not invite her mother to her wedding.Lady Lucan has never remarried.In September 2012 George Bingham told the Daily Mirror that he believes his father took his own life not long after Sandra Rivett's death, because of the "...horrendous storm that was coming.".