Lynette murder anniversary appeal

The flat in Cardiff where Lynette's body was found

A fresh appeal for information on the murder of a Cardiff prostitute has been made on the 15th anniversary of her death.

Lynette White's mutilated body was found on St Valentine's Day 1988 at her flat above a betting shop in Butetown in Cardiff. She had multiple stab wounds.

Lynette White was murdered in 1988

In November 1990, three men - Yusef Abdullahi, Tony Paris, and Steve Miller - were convicted of murder and jailed for life.

But two years later, the so-called Cardiff Three were cleared by the Court of Appeal after it was successfully argued that a gross miscarriage of justice had taken place.

Police launched a new inquiry in September 2000 and identified a DNA profile which they believe belongs to someone who is directly responsible for the crime.

Since then, investigating officers have been in the process of carrying out a mass scientific screening programme to match the sample found at the scene.

On the anniversary of this horrific murder, we are again asking people who may have information that could help to contact the incident team

Det Insp Brent Parry

A database of 5,000 names is being examined to trace people who were previously close to the enquiry.

They are contacting people on a priority basis and asking them if they are willing to give a DNA sample. The voluntary sample is taken via a mouth swab.

To date more than 300 swabs have been obtained and sent for forensic testing.

Detective Inspector Brent Parry who is leading the investigation said: "On the anniversary of this horrific murder, we are again asking people who may have information that could help to contact the incident team."

He said the team knew of people that were at the flat at around that time - but are not under suspicion.

These people need to come forward to be eliminated from the enquiry, he added.

"We have spoken to some but still need to trace others and are still urging them to come forward and contact the incident room.

"The screening process is entirely confidential.

We hope that by having an appeal on the anniversary of her death it may trigger a memory

Det Insp Brent Parry

"We are still as determined to detect this murderer as we were when the investigation first started.

"We have got 16 officers working on the case and all we want is for someone to come forward and give us some names.

"Maybe we can match a name with the DNA sample we have recovered," he said.

Det Insp Parry said Lynette's family were being kept fully informed on the investigation.

"We are still in contact with her family and they are being kept aware of the appeal and know that the DNA sample we have does not match the previously accused people.

"We hope that by having an appeal on the anniversary of her death it may trigger a memory and we want people to come forward.

"We have had very little information coming forward recently and this is why we are renewing the appeal," he added.