Police seek Kate breakthrough

Kate was murdered a short distance from her home

Police trying to solve the murder of a 14-year-old Devon schoolgirl six years ago have issued a new appeal for information about a prime suspect.

Kate Bushell was killed as she walked a neighbour's dog a short distance from her home at Exwick in Exeter on 15 November, 1997.

Her body was found by her father Jerry in the corner of a field, about three hours after she set out with the Jack Russell dog Gemma.

Superintendent Paul Davies, who is leading the inquiry, said he believed a man seen in a lane beside the field "holds the key" to the murder.

The scene of the killing was down a footpath off Exwick Lane, where she was walking.

The police checked 1,700 blue Astra vans in Exeter

"Someone has made her go down that path," said Mr Davies, who confirmed the knife used in the murder had never been found.

The man was seen in Exwick Lane at about 1700 on the day of the murder at the back of a blue Astra van.

He was seen by witnesses who drove past Kate at the top of Exwick Lane, about 250 yards away.

"He must have had local knowledge. It is not a location you stumble across," said Mr Davies.

The man was described as white, aged 30-40 years, of medium build, with dark collar-length hair, and clean shaven. He was wearing blue jeans.

Horrific crime

The police checked 1,700 blue Astra vans in the Exeter area.

"To date we have not been able to trace the individual or the vehicle," said Mr Davies.

He believed someone had information which could help identify Kate's murderer, and appealed to them to come forward.

"There may be someone who has information or suspects who the killer is.

"I cannot believe someone could commit such a horrific crime and not talk about it," he said.

Forensic development

The investigation's main thrust was now linked to forensic developments which had come on in "leaps and bounds since 1997", he said.

"There are techniques available now which were not available then, and we are now working on the cutting edge of forensic development.

"We are trying to obtain a DNA profile of the killer.

"We have had some encouraging results so far, but we have not had the answer I want."