Who was Bulic Forsythe and how was the Lambeth Council employee murdered?
A COUNCIL worker was murdered suspiciously back in 1993 after he reportedly spoke to colleagues about a suspected paedophile ring.
Here's everything you need to know about the horrific killing of Bulic Forsythe, which is featured in an episode of C4's In the Footsteps of Killers.
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Who was Bulic Forsythe?
Bulic Forsythe was a senior manager in the housing department of Lambeth Council in south London, respected for his professionalism and commitment to his work.
At the time of his death in February 1993, he was responsible for building management within the council.
In the days leading up to his death, Bulic reportedly confided in a colleague that he had discovered evidence of a paedophile ring operating within Lambeth Council properties and was considering going public with the information.
A report published in July 2021 by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) found that Lambeth Council staff failed children in care and foster homes repeatedly from the 1960s.
Over a 40-year period, more than 700 children in the borough suffered sadistic sexual abuse.
Per Wandsworth Guardian, a police report into Bulic's death states: "The murder of Mr Forsythe remains unsolved.
"It was the subject of a recent review by the Metropolitan Police Service (Operation Redsnow), as a result of concerns that there was a connection between Mr Forsythe's employment at Lambeth Council and his murder, but no evidence of such a connection was found.
"At the very least, the murder of Mr Forsythe is likely to have caused concern and fear on the part of staff and councillors."
In 2015, Sky News reported how Bulic might have discovered that council property was being used to carry out this abhorrent abuse.
How was Bulic Forsythe murdered?
Bulic was killed in a suspicious manner — on February 26, 1993, his flat was set alight.
His body was subsequently discovered inside, with a post-mortem revealing his skull was fractured before the fire was started — indicating he was beaten to death prior to the arson attack.
Witnesses reported seeing three men leaving Bulic's flat carrying bags of documents and files shortly before the fire.
A witness who lived nearby and appeared on the BBC's Crimewatch said: "I was going over to the paper shop to buy a paper and I saw three men coming out of Foster Court around the front.
"They were carrying briefcases and some folders in their hands. Why I noticed them was because they looked official and I've never saw them here before."
Internal Lambeth Council reports and later investigations suggest that his murder may have been linked to his knowledge of, and intention to expose, a paedophile ring involving senior council staff.
These reports detailed shocking allegations of sexual abuse, including the use of council premises for the rape of women and children by senior officials.
Bulic was said to have told a colleague he was going to "spill the beans" about what he had discovered
Despite these serious allegations, the findings were not formally investigated by police at the time, with the case remaining unsolved.
The murder caused widespread fear among council staff, as it was seen as a warning to anyone who might ask too many questions or attempt to expose wrongdoing within the council.
In the Footsteps of Killers
A new investigation into the murder of Bulic Forsythe is featured in an episode of Channel 4's In the Footsteps of Killers.
Presented by Emilia Fox and leading criminologist Professor David Wilson, the show examines the circumstances around his death and the allegations of abuse within Lambeth Council.
Aiming to shed new light on one of London's most disturbing unsolved murders, the doc explores whether Bulic was killed because he was about to expose a network of abuse and corruption within Lambeth Council.
You can catch the episode of In the Footsteps of Killers featuring the murder of Bulic Forsythe at 10pm on Channel 4 on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
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