Murder reviewed after 38 years

Anne Dunwell was strangled with her stockings

South Yorkshire Police are reviewing the case of a 13-year-old girl who was strangled in the Rotherham area 38 years ago.

Anne Dunwell's naked body was discovered at the foot of a manure heap between Carr and Slade Hooton, near Carr Lane, on 7 May 1964.

She had been strangled with a pair of her own stockings.

The schoolgirl's death sparked one of the biggest murder enquiries in the history of the then West Riding Constabulary.

Forensic advances

But despite the massive police investigation and several appeals for information over the years since Anne's murder, the case remains unsolved.

Detective superintendent Ernie Roper, of Rotherham CID, is heading a review of the case and is hoping that advances in forensic science will provide fresh clues to Anne's killer.

We are as determined now as our colleagues were to identify the killer

Detective superintendent Ernie Roper

He told BBC News Online: "We are utilising the expertise of the forensic science service to examine exhibits recovered in 1964 to see if we can extract any fresh evidence.

"We have also been reviewing case papers and other material relating to the case and are hopeful that if we do get any fresh forensic evidence, we can make a new appeal."

He said that Anne's family were aware of the review and what the police intended to do.

"They are delighted that the review is taking place and have been very supportive. A family liaison officer has been appointed to them."

The night before her murder, Anne, who lived with her grandparents in Whiston, Rotherham, had spent the evening playing with friends in the Howard Road area and had visited a nearby fish and chip shop.

Tailor's dummy

She was supposed to have been staying with her aunt but around 2115 BST set off from her aunt's home to catch a bus back to her grandparents.

A number of witnesses saw her standing near the bus stop but nobody saw her get on to the bus.

Her body was discovered shortly after 0700 BST the following day by a local man from Carr Village who at first thought it was a tailor's dummy.

Anne's property and clothing were never recovered and a post mortem revealed that her stockings had been knotted and tied round her neck.

Mr Roper said: "I know the public of Rotherham have never forgotten this murder and we still get calls from people with information.

"Anne's sister was just 18 when she died and the family have had no closure. It has affected their lives almost every day.

"We are as determined now as our colleagues were to identify the killer."