Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
PSNI new hunt for Inga’s killer after 30yrs
PSNI makes fresh appeal over German backpacker’s murder
THIRTY years on from the brutal murder of German backpacker Inga Maria Hauser, police are hoping her killer will be caught.
A postcard from the young traveller revealed how she was most looking forward to exploring Ireland on her holiday.
But the 18-year-old’s body was discovered just a few weeks later in a remote part of North Antrim’s Ballypatrick Forest.
Over the next two weeks the PSNI plans to post Inga Maria’s picture at crucial locations and make new information public in a bid to find the killer and end her family’s pain.
They especially want to hear from North Antrim locals or those who may have seen her travelling from London northwards to Scotland, before taking the Stranraer to Larne ferry on April 6, 1988.
Police believe the teenager died shortly after arriving in Northern Ireland but her body wasn’t found until April 20.
Det Chief Supt Raymond Murray, who is leading the murder investigation, said: “On the 30th anniversary of Inga Maria’s murder, police will be following a number of specific lines of enquiry.
“We believe we are extremely close to progressing criminal justice action against Inga Maria’s killer or killers.
“One strand of this operation is to identify the man whose DNA was found at the crime scene.
“As time evolves so does DNA science so we have carried out further familial DNA screening and are keeping an open mind about where this will lead the investigation.”
The detective added he believes anyone with information about who killed Inga Maria owes it her family to come forward.
He said: “Inga Maria’s family deserve to know what happened.
“Her father died not knowing who killed his daughter and her mother has been ill for many years.
“The family have been tortured by her murder and we have been in close contact with her heartbroken sister in the run-up to this anniversary. Do the decent thing for Inga’s sister and mother.
“Her last notebook entry on April 6 reads, ‘Went from Glasgow to Ayr and from there to Stranraer to get over to Ireland. Saw the sea. Beautiful and mysterious. Wonder where I stay tonight. Need more money’.” Sadly, Inga’s final resting place was in Ballypatrick Forest. Det Murray said: “I cannot rule out the possibility more than one person was involved in her death. I also have a report a man in the rural area east of Ballymoney was seen soon after the murder in April 1988 with scratches on his face and there was concern he had some sort of involvement.
“I am making a direct appeal to the family and friends of the murderer or murderers to come forward. Thirty years has passed and in that time we have to ask not only what impact this murderer has had on the Hausers but what impact has he had on his own family?
“If you are a family member who has information or who even assisted the killer or killers in the aftermath of the incident, search your conscience as now is the time common humanity should override misplaced loyalty. Give us the information we need.
“Think of the fear and pain she felt, think of her family not having justice.
“After 30 years, it’s time to tell us what you know – contact police by calling detectives in Maydown on 02871 379783.”