DNA MAY FINALLY TRAP DEBBIE'S KILLER (From News Shopper)
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DNA MAY FINALLY TRAP DEBBIE'S KILLER
12:00pm Tuesday 17th September 2002 in News
THE parents of a 26-year-old woman knifed to death aboard a train 14 years ago have spoken of their relief at the reopening of the case.
Bromley residents Arthur and Marguerite Linsley say they hope police will finally be able to catch the killer, who launched a frenzied attack on their daughter, Debbie.
Debbie died aboard the 14.16 Orpington-to-Victoria train on March 23, 1988, after boarding it at Petts Wood station. Somewhere between Petts Wood and Victoria, the senior hotel receptionist was stabbed 11 times.
Her bloodied body was discovered by a porter 10 minutes after the train arrived at Victoria. Despite a massive manhunt, in which hundreds of men gave blood samples, no witnesses came forward and no-one was charged.
But now new DNA evidence has been discovered by police who hope a renewed witness appeal will help catch the killer.
They recently reopened the case and announced a new lead last week on ITV's Tonight With Trevor McDonald.
Using blood-sampling technology not available at the time, scientists have created a DNA fingerprint of blood at the scene thought to be that of the killer.
On the programme, Debbie's parents made an emotional appeal to catch their daughter's murderer.
Mr Linsley, 68, a retired insurance broker, said: "Our world changed completely on March 23, 1988. Everything is about before or after Debbie's murder. Not only for Marguerite and I, but for our son and his family and all our friends and family."
Speaking about her close bond with Debbie, who was visiting from Edinburgh at the time, Mrs Linsley, 68, said: "I called her my little treasure. She was a gorgeous little girl and by the time she died she had become my pal, my mate."
Police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen someone acting suspiciously that day.
If you have any information, call 020 7321 7353/2 or Crimestopppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
September 17, 2002 11:00
