The killer responsible for one of the Cold War’s most infamous political assassinations on British soil remains unknown, creating a historical mystery that endures. Bulgarian dissident writer Georgi Ivanov Markov met a tragic end in what became known as the “Umbrella Murder,” where he was struck by a fatal poisoned pellet shot from an umbrella.
The poison used in the pellet that killed Markov is believed to have been ricin, the same deadly substance that Southport killer Axel Rudakabana attempted to produce. Markov, an acclaimed author and playwright in the 1950s and 60s, was renowned for his critical works against the communist Bulgarian government during his lifetime.
In 1969, Markov defected from Bulgaria and settled in London, where he worked for the BBC as a broadcaster and journalist. He was part of the Eastern European section of the BBC Overseas Service in Aldwych, London, continuing his critique of the regime through his reports.
The assassination occurred on September 7, 1978, as Markov was on his way to work from London’s Waterloo Bridge. He felt a sudden sharp pain in his thigh while waiting for the bus, noticing a stranger who had dropped an umbrella nearby. The stranger picked up the umbrella, possibly muttering an apology in a foreign language, before leaving in a taxi.
Markov realized the pain in his thigh persisted upon arriving at work, finding a small red mark resembling a pimple. Though seemingly minor at first, the incident soon turned fatal. Markov developed a severe fever and was admitted to St. James Hospital in Balham, South London, where his health rapidly declined.
Four days later, on September 11, 1978, Georgi Ivanov Markov passed away, with the official cause of death listed as septicemia. The case has baffled investigators, with doubts about its resolution expressed by former Met Det Chief Insp Peter Kirkham due to the lack of conclusive evidence despite advancements in investigative technologies.
In 2005, The Sunday Times reported on leaked files from the Bulgarian Secret Service, identifying Francesco Giullino as the primary suspect behind Markov’s murder. Giullino, known as “Piccadilly,” allegedly acted on behalf of the Bulgarian communist-era intelligence agency in “neutralizing” Markov. Despite denial of involvement, Giullino received state medals for his alleged services to security and public order.
In 2023, the Danish Broadcasting Corporation released a documentary series on Giullino’s life and espionage activities, shedding light on his connections to the Bulgarian State. Following a denial of the allegations in a 2021 interview, Giullino was found deceased in his Austrian apartment in August 2021, at the age of 75, preceding the documentary’s release.
Markov was posthumously honored in 2000 with Bulgaria’s Order of Stara Planina for his contributions to literature and his opposition to the Communist regime. The identity of Markov’s killer remains undisclosed, leaving the case unsolved as Bulgaria closed its investigation for the “Umbrella Murder” in 2013 due to the statute of limitations expiration.