# Was David Sands's crash into a disused cafe on 30 March 1987 deliberate? · Marconi scientists' deaths, 1982–1990 > Two answers have been proposed. None is ahead on the evidence yet. Two are still possible. Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/marconi-scientists/questions/QST0DGGA1KAYWZS/was-david-sandss-crash-into-a-disused-cafe-on-30-march-1987 Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-11-03T21:23:42+00:00 --- **0** # Was David Sands's crash into a disused cafe on 30 March 1987 deliberate? Asked 3 Nov 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·Part of [Which of the deaths remain unexplained after their inquests, and what would settle each one?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/marconi-scientists/questions/QST0DGG9P56CQK6/which-of-the-deaths-remain-unexplained-after-their-inquests)·2 answers·0·0 following **Two answers, none ahead** None is ahead yet. See what would settle it. ## Where it stands Two answers have been proposed. None is ahead on the evidence yet. Two are still possible. ## Why it matters An open verdict on a high-speed crash on a straight road with petrol cans in the boot; it set off the parliamentary demands for an inquiry. ## Answers 2 [**Deliberate: suicide by crash** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/marconi-scientists/answers/ANS0DGGBE3KEQB4/deliberate-suicide-by-crash) Evidence for it, no test yet Evidence: 1 for Still possible [**Not deliberate: accident or interference** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/marconi-scientists/answers/ANS0DGGBEVYV4Q9/not-deliberate-accident-or-interference) Not tested yet Evidence: none yet Still possible ## Next steps 2 1 Find the Hampshire inquest report on Sands (May 1987) Could decideFair odds~3 h **39** score Details Local press (Basingstoke Gazette, Hampshire Chronicle) for May 1987 reported the inquest. The evidence heard (where he was on 28-30 March, where the petrol came from) would settle intent. 2 Find the Sands inquest report Could shiftFair odds~4 h **21** score Details Find Hampshire press coverage of David Sands's 1987 inquest (Basingstoke Gazette, Southern Evening Echo) for the evidence heard on intent. Ranked by how likely each is to move the key question, for the time it takes ## History 1. 1987[House of Commons: missing the night before, petrol in the boot, police suspected suicide](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0DGG5ASRPFBW/mr-david-sands-written-answer-house-of-commons-9-april-1987)For: Deliberate: suicide by crash 1. 1987[NZPA-PA: missing the night before, petrol in the boot, police suspected suicide](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0DGG683M6V9V/inquiry-sought-into-deaths-of-scientists)For: Deliberate: suicide by crash 1. 1988[Howard Witt: missing the night before, petrol in the boot, police suspected suicide](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0DGG6JXTCFY6/scientists-deaths-mystify-british)For: Deliberate: suicide by crash 1. Nov 2026[Session 1: raised the question and found one result bearing on its answers](https://mysteriesdept.com/records/SES0DGGH6FG4GHG/session-1-the-marconi-deaths-the-record-collected-and-the) ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/marconi-scientists/questions/QST0DGGA1KAYWZS/was-david-sandss-crash-into-a-disused-cafe-on-30-march-1987%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/marconi-scientists/questions/QST0DGGA1KAYWZS/was-david-sandss-crash-into-a-disused-cafe-on-30-march-1987%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/marconi-scientists/questions/QST0DGGA1KAYWZS/was-david-sandss-crash-into-a-disused-cafe-on-30-march-1987%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/marconi-scientists/questions/QST0DGGA1KAYWZS/was-david-sandss-crash-into-a-disused-cafe-on-30-march-1987%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/marconi-scientists/questions/QST0DGGA1KAYWZS/was-david-sandss-crash-into-a-disused-cafe-on-30-march-1987%23add-source) Where it fits Marconi scientists' deaths, 1982–1990 [**Which of the deaths remain unexplained after their inquests, and what would settle each one?** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/marconi-scientists/questions/QST0DGG9P56CQK6/which-of-the-deaths-remain-unexplained-after-their-inquests)Key question · no answers yet [Did Ashad Sharif kill himself near Bristol on 28 October 1986, as the inquest found?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/marconi-scientists/questions/QST0DGGA0KC8V4Y/did-ashad-sharif-kill-himself-near-bristol-on-28-october)Open · 2 answers, inconclusive [How did Jonathan Wash fall from a hotel in Abidjan on 19 November 1985?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/marconi-scientists/questions/QST0DGGA5P6VXHF/how-did-jonathan-wash-fall-from-a-hotel-in-abidjan-on-19)No evidence yet · 2 answers, untested [How did Peter Peapell die under his car in his garage on 22 February 1987?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/marconi-scientists/questions/QST0DGGA2MVRF1B/how-did-peter-peapell-die-under-his-car-in-his-garage-on-22)No evidence yet · 2 answers, untested [How did Vimal Dajibhai come to fall from the Clifton Suspension Bridge on 5 August 1986?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/marconi-scientists/questions/QST0DGG9Y36Z2SZ/how-did-vimal-dajibhai-come-to-fall-from-the-clifton)Open · 2 answers, inconclusive **Was David Sands's crash into a disused cafe on 30 March 1987 deliberate?** You're here · 2 answers, inconclusive [Who killed Shani Warren, found bound and gagged in Taplow Lake on 18 April 1987?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/marconi-scientists/questions/QST0DGGA3WXAZ99/who-killed-shani-warren-found-bound-and-gagged-in-taplow)Open · 2 answers, inconclusive [ Ask a question under this one ]