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Police pursue DNA leads in Diane Sindall 'Beast of Birkenhead' murder
On August 2, 1986, 21‑year‑old florist Diane Sindall was sexually assaulted and murdered after her car ran out of petrol on Borough Road in Birkenhead. She was seen walking the road by several witnesses, including former taxi driver Kenneth Clarke, who recalled the memory of seeing her that night. A memorial stone erected in Birkenhead marks the 40th anniversary of her death, noting she was killed "because she was a woman".
Police have reopened the case, now dubbed the "Beast of Birkenhead". Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson says a DNA profile recovered from the crime scene belongs to a man and could identify the killer. To date the force has eliminated 575 people and has 32 DNA profiles under review. The original conviction of Peter Sullivan, who served 38 years for the murder, was overturned after DNA testing showed he was not the source. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating Sullivan’s claims of police abuse. Authorities hope the new DNA evidence will finally bring the perpetrator to justice.
Entities
Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson · Diane Sindall · Independent Office for Police Conduct · Kenneth Clarke · Merseyside Police · National Crime Agency · Peter Sullivan · Rachel Wilson
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson is heading the renewed investigation into the Sindall murder. thebusinesstimes.co.uk · www.dailyrecord.co.uk · www.mirror.co.uk
- [● 4 SOURCES] A Crimestoppers reward of up to £20,000 is offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of Diane Sindall’s killer. thebusinesstimes.co.uk · www.dailyrecord.co.uk · www.mirror.co.uk
- [● 4 SOURCES] The investigation is being conducted in partnership with the National Crime Agency. thebusinesstimes.co.uk · www.dailyrecord.co.uk · www.mirror.co.uk
- [● 4 SOURCES] Peter Sullivan’s murder conviction was overturned by the Court of Appeal after DNA evidence proved he was not the source of the DNA found at the scene. thebusinesstimes.co.uk · www.dailyrecord.co.uk · www.mirror.co.uk
- [● 4 SOURCES] Merseyside Police have screened more than 600 men, eliminated 575 suspects and keep 32 people under current review in the Sindall murder investigation. thebusinesstimes.co.uk · www.dailyrecord.co.uk · www.mirror.co.uk
- [● 4 SOURCES] The cause of Sindall’s death was a cerebral haemorrhage resulting from a sexual assault. thebusinesstimes.co.uk · www.dailyrecord.co.uk · www.mirror.co.uk
- [● 4 SOURCES] Clothing belonging to Diane Sindall was found burnt on Bidston Hill the day after her murder. thebusinesstimes.co.uk · www.dailyrecord.co.uk · www.mirror.co.uk
- [● 4 SOURCES] Diane Sindall, 21, was murdered on 2 August 1986 after leaving her shift at the Wellington pub in Birkenhead. thebusinesstimes.co.uk · www.dailyrecord.co.uk · www.mirror.co.uk