Family’s new bid to end 40-year wait for justice

THE family of a murdered young woman are launching an attempt to overturn her inquest ruling in a bid to end a 40-year wait for justice.

Jessie Earl was 22 when she disappeared in Eastbourne, East Sussex, in May 1980. Her remains were found in scrubland near Beachy Head eight years later. At an inquest, a coroner ruled an open verdict.

Her elderly parents Val and John Earl have long maintained Jessie was murdered and have called for a fresh inquest in the hope new forensic evidence could be explored, which could lead to her death being recorded as unlawful killing.

The Earls accused Sussex Police of failures in its original investigation, which included an alleged missed opportunity to identify her killer by destroying possible DNA evidence on her bra when it was discarded.

Following criticism of its handling, police reopened the case in January 2000 at the Earls’ request and formally recorded Jessie’s death as murder. A fresh report was submitted to a coroner but no inquest was ordered.

The couple now want their daughter’s body to be exhumed to collect any potential DNA evidence.

In a statement, the couple told The Sunday Telegraph: “We have waited nearly 40 years for the chance to get the right verdict for our daughter.”

On Dec 23, the Earls will submit an application to the Attorney General for a new inquest, and a fresh hearing could be determined in the High Court if it is successful.