Cops hunt the killer of RAF girl 50yrs on

DNA breakthrough to ID murderer

A WOMAN whose 19-year-old sister was murdered 50 years ago at an RAF base has issued a fresh appeal to find her twisted killer.

Rita Ellis was sexually assaulted and strangled with her underwear in 1967.

Police now have a DNA profile of the murderer but swabs taken from almost 200 potential suspects have failed to reveal the killer’s identity.

Rita’s sister, Tina Streeter, 60, said: “Just come forward and open up... Perhaps those people will feel better about themselves.”

Tina, whose parents died without seeing justice for their daughter, described the RAF recruit as “wonderful, kind and caring.” She added: “It’s just through a freak incident... an opportunist, some evil, sick person who just couldn’t contain themselves.

“I don’t know their motive. I don’t forgive. I could never forgive them ever.”

On the night of Saturday, November 11, 1967, Rita was expected to babysit for a wing commander and his wife at RAF Halton, Bucks. But she failed to arrive. The base was holding a disco and bingo, meaning hundreds were in the area.

Rita, who was stationed there, was last seen alive at 8pm. Her body was found the next day by a disused railway.

Police believe the killer would be in his 60s to 80s today.

DEATH RIDDLE Rita Ellis. Tina, below made appeal Rita’s home, RAF Halton, Bucks Her body was found by railway