Brother's appeal over 1984 murder

Police hope DNA from the crime scene will help them find Melanie's killer

The brother of a 17-year-old girl murdered 25 years ago in Bath has made a fresh appeal for information to find her killer.

A-level student Melanie Road was sexually assaulted and stabbed to death in a frenzied attack in the early hours of 9 June 1984.

Adrian Road, 47, spoke of the loss the family has felt since her death.

"We're hoping people will remember things, details, however small - it could be significant," he said.

Melanie had refused the offer of a taxi after a night out with friends at the old Beau Nash nightclub in Kingston Road, choosing instead to walk the 20-minute journey home.

DNA evidence

Her body was discovered at 0530 BST - just yards from her house at St Stephen's Court - by a milkman and his 10-year-old son.

Avon and Somerset Police has DNA evidence from the scene of the crime, although the profile does not match anybody on the national database.

Adrian Road said the family has never got over the murder of his sister

Mr Road said: "As a family we've always been optimistic the killer will be found. The police are doing a fantastic job. We've never given up hope.

"Her death took its toll on our family; it was absolutely traumatic and for the person to still be out there is very difficult."

Detectives made more than 90 arrests in connection with the murder, but no-one has ever been charged.

"There's somebody out there who knows who did this," added Mr Road.

"However small the information someone has, it could be fruitful - please call the police.

"It still hurts every day. I think about Melanie every single day. I know it's a cliche, but it's absolutely true."

Det Ch Insp Mike Carter from Avon and Somerset Police's Major Crime Review Team said Melanie's murder was not like many of the other unsolved killings in the area.

"This investigation is different to the majority of the other undetected murders recorded by the force in the last 60 years, as it actually has a DNA profile.

"I believe this belongs to the offender in this case."