'Public hold key' in Dunwell murder

'Public hold key' in Dunwell murder

Anne Dunwell's case was recently re-opened

The detective leading the investigation into the murder of a teenager 40 years ago says he is absolutely convinced somebody knows her killer's identity.

The body of 13-year-old Anne Dunwell was found at the foot of a manure heap just off the road between Carr and Slade Hooton, near Rotherham, in 1964.

She had been strangled with her own stockings.

South Yorkshire Police has now received more than 170 calls and identified 65 new potential suspects since a national appeal for information on the BBC's Crimewatch programme.

Detective Superintendent Ernie Roper said all the information provided by the public was extremely relevant and useful to the renewed murder inquiry.

He added: "I remain absolutely convinced that at least one member of the public knows the identity of Anne Dunwell's killer.

Relentless inquiry

"If you are that person and you have not already contacted us, we urge you to do so now."

In an earlier statement after last week's Crimewatch reconstruction, Mr Roper said he believed Anne Dunwell probably knew her attacker.

And recent forensic evidence being followed up by police suggests her killer had a sexually transmitted disease.

Officers are sifting through the information provided by the appeal.

Mr Roper said: "We will relentlessly pursue those lines of inquiry to identify the person responsible for killing Anne."