On the evening of 7 November 1974 the children's nanny was found fatally injured and Lucan's estranged wife was also injured. Lucan's wife named him as the prime suspect in this incident however he had disappeared into the night. His car was later found with bloody objects similar to those found at the scene, but the whereabouts of Lord Lucan remain a mystery.
Within Britain, there has been continuing interest in Lucan's fate. Since Rivett's murder, hundreds of reported sightings have been made in various countries around the world; none have been substantiated. Despite a police investigation and huge press interest, Lucan has not been found and is presumed dead; a death certificate was issued in 2016.
In 2007 the hunt for Lucan was focused on the small Rangitikei township of Marton after claims that he may have been living in a car there. Did they target the wrong man, or was Lord Lucan really hiding in rural New Zealand?