Ian Cameron, the former head designer for Rolls-Royce and a vintage car expert, was tragically killed at his $3 million mansion in Herrsching, Germany. The 74-year-old British national was stabbed by a man during a robbery attempt. His wife, Verena Kloos, managed to escape the attack by scaling a wall and alerting neighbors, who then contacted the police.
Pre-meditated attack
CCTV footage revealed that the power cables to Cameron’s garage, where valuables were kept, had been intentionally cut. “The investigation suggests that this was a violent crime,” said police officials.
Legacy in automotive design
Cameron played a “significant” role in designing iconic Rolls-Royce vehicles, including the Ghost, Phantom, and 3 Series. He led the Rolls-Royce design team after BMW acquired the company’s automotive business in 1998.
BMW expressed their condolences in a statement to Automotive News: “We are deeply shocked and saddened by the news about our former Rolls-Royce designer. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during these difficult hours.”
BMW further highlighted Cameron’s contributions: “Ian played a significant role in shaping Rolls-Royce from when it was first acquired by BMW Group and moved to its home at Goodwood, West Sussex. During Ian’s tenure, he led the design team for all Phantom family and Ghost models, creating thoroughly contemporary motor cars that remained sympathetic to the marque’s design lineage.”
Manhunt underway
The suspect, described as being between 180 and 190 cm (5 ft 9 in to 6 ft 2 in), was wearing light-colored pants, a dark-blue sweatshirt, yellow-green gloves, and a red backpack. A manhunt has been launched to locate the suspect, with search teams using dogs and a helicopter to thoroughly examine the area.
This tragic event marks the loss of a prominent figure in automotive design, leaving the industry and Cameron’s family and friends in mourning.