By Sammie Jones-
British detectives are desperately appealing for the help of the public in catching a murderer who brutally killed a woman and escaped justice over 30 years ago.
Members of the public have been urged to cast their minds back three decades as detectives vowed to do “everything in our power” to bring the killer to justice.
26 year old Debbie Linsley was found dead on the 14.16 from Orpington in Bromley, Greater London when it arrived at London Victoria station on March 23 1988.
Detectives were able to deduce that the poor young lady tried in vain to fight off her attacker, but was overcome by the dangerous killer who has never been found since.
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“She was stabbed at least five times in a particular violent killing, leaving detectives to believe her killer to have been a repeat offender of brutal attacks or murders. A repeat offender who has never been in trouble with the police.
Police recovered a full DNA profile of the killer from blood traces at the scene. A £20,000 reward to catch her killer was offered in 2013, but 5 years later there has been no response. The reward still stands and detectives as well as the family of Lindsley are desperately hoping for a result
The DNA profile found by police did not match any records on the national DNA database and Metropolitan Police detectives are now carrying out a “familial search” to try to identify anyone who may be related to the suspect. Ms Linsley worked as a hotel manager in Edinburgh, Scotland, and had been visiting her parents and brother Gordon, ahead of his wedding.
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Tragic Lindsley boarded the train at Petts Wood, south-east London, and sat in a six-person compartment with doors at each side of the carriage.
A French passenger at the time told detectives they heard screaming after the train left Brixton in south London.
The train arrived at Victoria’s platform 2 and at around 2.50pm her body was discovered on the floor by British Rail staff. The murder weapon – believed to be a 5in to 7in knife – was never recovered. Investigating detectives took over 1,200 statements at the time, and over 650 people were eliminated as potential suspects during the investigation. Despite several years gone by, detectives are still very conscious of the need to bring this evil and wicked killer to justice. Oddly enough, he has managed to keep his nose clean all these years, but the full force of the law still awaits his awful crime.
UNUSUAL
Acting Detective Inspector Susan Stansfield, of the Met’s special casework investigation team, said:
“It has been 30 years since Debbie was tragically murdered, but our efforts to trace the perpetrator continue. We will do everything in our power to identify the killer and bring them to justice.
“We have a DNA profile of the suspect and this remains a key piece of evidence that we are following up on. As well as the physical evidence at our disposal, we would be keen to hear from anyone who has information that might assist the inquiry. Have you had an unusual, out-of-the-blue conversation with someone about the murder in the intervening years? Has someone confided in you with information only the killer would know?
“Although this happened 30 years ago, you may recall being on that train or at a station on the route and seeing something which at the time you thought nothing of but in light of what happened was out of place and suspicious, and might be significant.”
“Have you had an unusual, out-of-the-blue conversation with someone about the murder in the intervening years? Has someone confided in you with information only the killer would know?
“Although this happened 30 years ago, you may recall being on that train or at a station on the route and seeing something which, at the time, you thought nothing of but in light of what happened was out of place and suspicious, and might be significant.”
The victim’s father, Arthur Linsley, said: “My daughter was murdered 30 years ago and despite the DNA profile of the suspect being available, the person responsible has still not been found.
“I appealed in 2013 for those who had suspicions about a partner, a friend or a relative to please come forward and I renew that appeal now on this anniversary of Debbie’s death.”
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