Forty years after the body of Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones was found floating in his swimming pool, British police said Monday they are reviewing new evidence about his death turned over by an investigative journalist. Though Jones' 1969 drowning was ruled an accident linked to a drug and alcohol binge, friends and fans have long insisted the rock star was murdered, and reports have swirled of a death bed confession by a building contractor. Sussex police in southeast England said they will examine new documents received from a journalist relating to Jones' death. They have not yet decided whether to officially reopen the case. “It's too early to comment at this time as to what the outcome might be,” the Sussex duty inspector said, reading a statement over the telephone. Police did not give further details. The Mail on Sunday reported that journalist Scott Jones – who is not related to the musician – has handed over 600 documents. Jones, a founding member of the Rolling Stones, reportedly came up with the band's name, taking it from a song title on a Muddy Waters album cover. Formed in 1962, the band branched out from blues covers to become pivotal in the so-called British Invasion, drawing fans attracted by their rebellious image and surly but sexy style. Jones was quickly eclipsed by swaggering lead singer Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards, whose songwriting propelled the band's popularity. Increasingly marginalized and drawn to drugs and alcohol, Jones was convicted twice on narcotics charges, avoiding jail by promising to quit his habit. He quit the band a month before his death and was replaced by Mick Taylor. He stood out even among his band mates for his flashy clothes. He died July 2, 1969 at age 27, his body found in the swimming pool at his 11-acre (4.5-hectare) Sussex estate. Two 1994 books claimed that Jones was murdered by a London builder who had been hired to help renovate Jones' home: “Paint it Black: The Murder of Brian Jones,” by Geoffrey Giuliano and “Who Killed Christopher Robin?” by Terry Rawlings. Both claimed that builder Frank Thorogood confessed on his deathbed in November 1993 to killing Jones. “It was me that did Brian. I just finally snapped,” Thorogood reportedly said to road manager Tom Keylock, Rawlings' book quoted Keylock as saying. It was not clear why British police did not reopen an investigation after those books were published. Scott Jones interviewed Janet Lawson, the person who discovered the guitarist's body, shortly before she died last year.
