Remand in 1996 river murder case

Karen Skipper was thought to have taken her dogs for a late-night walk

A 58-year-old man has appeared in court charged with murdering a woman found in a Cardiff river 11 years ago.

John Pope, from Fairwater, Cardiff, was remanded in custody, accused of killing Karen Skipper, 34, who was found in the River Ely on 10 March 1996.

Her body was found after her two dogs sitting on the river bank. She had drowned after her hands were tied up.

Her husband Phillip was initially charged with her murder but was cleared by a jury. He died aged 48 in 2004.

A murder investigation was launched in 1996 and five weeks later Mr Skipper was charged with the crime.

However, he was cleared of murder by a jury at Cardiff Crown Court following a trial in 1997.

On Tuesday, South Wales Police arrested a man on suspicion of Mrs Skipper's murder.

In a statement, her family said: "We know that the truth is out there and it is time for anybody who knows anything to come forward.

"Please speak to police if you have any information. Please do it for us and most importantly do it for Karen."

Det Chief Insp Stuart McKenzie, who is leading the investigation, said: "I am sure there could be someone out there who has lived for some time with information they felt unable to talk to us about or perhaps information they felt was insignificant.

"Although a person has been charged with Karen's murder we are still very much appealing for witnesses.

"Now is the time to speak to us.

"I understand that people can feel nervous about contacting police but again I give my personal assurances that any information will be treated in the strictest confidence and urge people to call us."

Anyone with information can call the incident room at Fairwater Police Station on 029 2022 2111 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.