‘Help find who killed my sister 25 years ago’
THE brother of a murdered schoolgirl is pleading for help to track down her killer – 25 years to the day after she was stabbed to death.
Kate Bushell, 14, was attacked as she walked a neighbour’s dog in fields just 300 yards from her home.
Her older brother Tim and police suspect the killer may have been shielded by those close to him.
They are begging anyone with suspicions to break their silence so there can be “justice for Kate”.
Catastrophic
Tim said: “There isn’t a day that goes past where my family and I don’t think of her.”
Kate was with Gemma, a pal’s Jack Russell, when she was killed at Exwick in Devon on November 15, 1997.
Her distraught father
Jerry found her body around three hours later.
Tim said: “Thousands of inquiries have been undertaken by the police but we are still waiting for the key breakthrough. I would implore anyone who has been unable to do so previously to share any information with the police.” More than 160 detectives and staff were deployed to the case and three potential suspects were released without charge.
A £20,000 reward has been offered by Crimestoppers. Detective Inspector Rob Back said: “My hope with this renewed appeal is for that vital piece of evidence we need to trace the killer and bring closure for Kate’s family.” Witnesses recalled seeing a small blue car parked in a nearby stables lay-by with a man standing by it. People also saw a man running less than a mile away but he has never been traced. It is believed the killer lived locally or had links to the area. Kate suffered a catastrophic injury to her neck caused by a 6in blade. ●●Information can be reported to Devon and Cornwall Police or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.