A reward of up to £20,000 is being offered for information that helps find the killer of Graham Pennycook, the former Royal Engineer found dead in woodland in Wiltshire after he went out to walk his dog and never came home.

Mr Pennycook, 64, left home on the morning of Thursday 24 September to walk his dog in woods near Perham Down, close to Ludgershall. Later that morning, his wife raised the alarm after the dog returned home without him, and his body was found nearby. Police believe he was assaulted while out walking.

The independent charity Crimestoppers has now announced the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for his murder.

Police believe he was attacked mid-walk

Police believe Mr Pennycook was about 40 to 45 minutes into his regular walk when he was attacked. A murder investigation was launched, with officers carrying out extensive searches and forensic enquiries at the scene.

Crimestoppers wants to hear from anyone who was in or around Perham Down between 10am and 11am on 24 September, or who has dashcam footage from the area between 9am and 6pm that day.

Beth Simpson, Crimestoppers' regional manager for Central South West, said: "Graham went out for a familiar walk and never came home. His family are left without him and without answers. If you know something about what happened but do not want to speak to the police, you can share with Crimestoppers anonymously. Even a detail you think is small could help."

Two men seen acting suspiciously

Detectives had previously appealed for information from anyone who saw two men acting in a suspicious manner in the area that day. Detective Chief Inspector Phil Walker said he was keen to hear from anyone who witnessed two males who looked out of place or were acting suspiciously in the woods on the morning of 24 September, especially between 10am and 11am.

"Did you see someone who looked out of place or was acting suspiciously? Have you seen this person, or these people, before? Do you know their name? Did you see any vehicles that were driving erratically or appeared in an unusual place?" he said.

He added that the area was popular for dog walking, cycling and exercise, and urged anyone who was there that day and had not yet come forward to contact police, saying they may hold vital information.

Investigation enters sixth week

In an update on 6 November, Wiltshire Police Chief Constable Catherine Roper said the investigation into Mr Pennycook's murder in Ludgershall had entered its sixth week, and confirmed that Crimestoppers had announced the reward the previous day. She asked communities to check ring doorbells and CCTV, and to report anything they noticed on 24 September 2026, however small or unconnected it might seem.

Anyone with information can contact Crimestoppers anonymously online at crimestoppers-uk.org or by phone on 0800 555 111.