Ipswich’s Evening Star is spearheading a new bid to solve a nine-year-old murder mystery – after a series of exclusive revelations by the paper’s crime team.
Tracey Sparling and Georgina James revealed the killer of young mother Karen Hales was believed to have vomited at the scene and went on to find a forensics firm which is prepared to carry out tests for DNA evidence.
Suffolk police last tested the sample more than three years ago but it is hoped further advances in DNA forensic technology may pinpoint the killer.
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The victim, aged 21, was stabbed to death in 1993. One of the Suffolk Constabulary’s biggest-ever manhunts failed to catch the killer.
Evening Star editor Nigel Pickover has written to the Acting Chief Constable Gillian Parker, asking that detectives release the sample to leading genetics experts based in Abingdon.
He has pledged to stump up the £1,000 test fee. The Evening Star is also offering a £5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer.
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"Any chance of uncovering the monster who killed Karen must be pursued and we believe Suffolk police should send off the sample without delay," Pickover said.
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