Author David Yallop, who fought for the release of Arthur Allan Thomas, dies 81 years old

Author David Yallop – famous for his work on the controversial Crewe murders – has died.

Yallop died in London at the age of 81.

stuff reported that the Yallop family had released a statement confirming his death.

The British author has published the book Beyond Reasonable Doubt about murders of Harvey and Jeanette Crewe in their Pukekawa house in 1970.

His work led to the man who was convicted of their murders – Arthur Allan Thomas – being released from prison.

The book, made later in a movie of the same name, cast great doubt on the evidence used to condemn Thomas from the infamous double murder.

Thomas eventually received a royal pardon.

According to his family statement, he had suffered from Alzheimer's disease in recent years.

The death of Yallop followed the death of Kiwi journalist Pat Booth, who also wrote extensively about the Crewe case.

Booth, who, as assistant editor of Auckland Star, opened the case when he discovered that the police had planted the rifle case – the key to Mr Thomas's condemnation – in Crewes' garden, died in January.