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Fears of more victims of serial killer Peter Tobin, who buried teenagers in Margate garden

The sister of serial killer Peter Tobin's youngest victim fears the true extent of his crimes will never be known after his death.

Vicky Hamilton, 15, went missing in Scotland in 1991 and her body was found buried under the patio of Tobin's Margate home 17 years later.

Serial killer Peter Tobin has died. Picture: Edinburgh Evening News
Serial killer Peter Tobin has died. Picture: Edinburgh Evening News

Dinah McNichol, 18, who was murdered in the same year as Vicky, was also found at the property.

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland’s The Sunday Show, Vicky's sister Lindsay, who was six at the time of her disappearance, said: “It’s been horrendous. It’s ripped the family apart.

“Obviously all the years not knowing what happened to Vicky and not knowing where she could be, if she was still out there. That affected us not having that closure.”

It was a “sense of relief” to finally get closure when Vicky’s body was found, as family members were finally able to say their goodbyes, she said.

“The only thing I feel (about Tobin’s death) is did he have more victims, and now he’s gone, are there other families out there that aren’t going to get that closure that we got because he is no longer around to tell (the) tale.

“If there has been other victims, and I know there’s speculation, they might not know what’s happened to their loved ones

“I was hoping that he would maybe come out when he got diagnosed with cancer, that he would maybe come out and tell people what he did, if he did have any kind of remorse.”

Peter Tobin's victims, Angelika Kluk, Vicky Hamilton and Dinah McNichol. Picture: PA Media
Peter Tobin's victims, Angelika Kluk, Vicky Hamilton and Dinah McNichol. Picture: PA Media

Following his death, Detective Chief Superintendent Laura Thomson, head of major crime at Police Scotland, said the final attempts to encourage Tobin to “do the right thing and share any knowledge he may have had which could assist the police were unsuccessful”.

Speaking to the BBC, he described Tobin as “pure evil”, adding: “This is a coward, who has taken his secrets to the grave.”

A former wife of Tobin says she is relieved at the news of his death.

The murderer, rapist and paedophile died in hospital yesterday aged 76 after becoming unwell at HMP Edinburgh, where he was serving three life sentences.

Cathy Wilson, 52, told the Sunday Mirror: “He was a monster and there is a feeling of relief that he is now dead.”

Ms Wilson, who reportedly met Tobin when she was 16 and is said to be his third wife, told the publication her late ex-husband enjoyed having power and control, and treated her like a slave.

While she is glad he is dead, Ms Wilson said: “Everyone knows there were other victims, and he could have made all the difference in the world to grieving families who still don’t know for sure what happened to their loved ones.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Laura Thomson, head of major crime at Police Scotland, said the final attempts to encourage Tobin to “do the right thing and share any knowledge he may have which could assist the police were unsuccessful”.

She added: “While we have no current lines of investigation into Peter Tobin, we welcome any information in relation to his activities.”

Police officers searching the garden of Peter Tobin's former home in Irvine Drive, Margate in the search for Dinah McNichol. Picture Nick Evans
Police officers searching the garden of Peter Tobin's former home in Irvine Drive, Margate in the search for Dinah McNichol. Picture Nick Evans
Police at the former home of Peter Tobin in Margate, during the search for his victims' remains. Picture: Nick Evans
Police at the former home of Peter Tobin in Margate, during the search for his victims' remains. Picture: Nick Evans

Former Strathclyde Police detective David Swindle, who led the investigation into Tobin, said he had no doubts the serial killer murdered more people.

Speaking to the BBC, he described Tobin as “pure evil”, adding: “This is a coward, who has taken his secrets to the grave.”

The Sunday Mail previously reported Tobin had cancer and had fallen and broken his hip and was refusing food and medication.

The scene of the grisly discovery in Irvine Drive, Margate. Picture: Dave Downey
The scene of the grisly discovery in Irvine Drive, Margate. Picture: Dave Downey

Last month a photo was circulated of Tobin “chained to a hospital bed” in a hospital gown, appearing seriously ill.

Tobin was serving a life sentence for raping and murdering Polish student Angelika Kluk, 23, and hiding her body under the floor of a Glasgow church in 2006.

The killer was also serving life terms for the murders of 15-year-old schoolgirl Vicky Hamilton, of Redding, near Falkirk, in 1991, and 18-year-old Dinah McNicol the same year. Their bodies were found 17 years later, buried in the garden of his former home in Irvine Drive, Margate.

Peter Tobin's former home in Irvine Drive in Margate, where his victims were found buried
Peter Tobin's former home in Irvine Drive in Margate, where his victims were found buried

The current occupier of the home previously spoke to KentOnline about living in a house with such a dark history.

Police believe Tobin was responsible for the murders of other women because he had at least 40 aliases and 150 cars during his life.

Earlier, the family of Vicky Hamilton said they no longer wish to talk about Tobin.

Serial killer Peter Tobin. Picture: Police handout/PA
Serial killer Peter Tobin. Picture: Police handout/PA

The statement from siblings Sharon, Lee and Lindsay on Facebook read: “We remember Vicky, we remember her laughter, her smile and we want to keep that memory after all the years of having no idea what had happened to her, followed by heartbreak of losing our mum not long after Vicky went missing.

“He does not deserve any more of our families thoughts.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed officers attended the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh at 6.04am on Saturday following the death of a 76-year-old man, adding: “The death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.”

The Scottish Prison Service declined to comment.

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