A reward of £20,000 has been offered for the arrest and successful conviction of a killer who continues to walk amongst us.
Janet Murgatroyd, aged 20, was brutally beaten and left to die on the banks of the River Ribble after being sexually assaulted.
Her death shocked Preston in 1996 and continues to haunt those who knew her.
Read more: Janet Murgatroyd’s murder: We quiz the DCI at the scene tasked with solving the cold case
Best friend Fiona Watson, who was with Janet as they drank in the city’s pubs on the evening of Saturday 15 June, has spoken out about her desire for the killer to be brought to justice.
She said: “We were young, so we were enthusiastic about life, we were energetic. She was serious about her study and serious about working hard, wanted to achieve. Whilst we did go out, we didn’t go out all the time. She was just a regular 20-year-old young woman with her whole life in front of her and looking forward to it.
“And 30 years later it’s still there, it’s still haunting you. And the impact it’s had on everyone’s lives. It’s still continuing to this day, there’s no peace to be got from not knowing what happened to her.
“This person is still out there, he’s living in the community. And that’s a worry. People should be worried about that. He’s living a life that she didn’t get to live, that her mother, her father, that I didn’t get to live. Because it changed me beyond belief and I never got that person that I was back.”
Fiona’s comments came as Janet’s mother, Mary, released a statement saying they as a family could have ‘no closure’ until her daughter’s killer was brought to justice.
Lancashire Police have renewed their appeal for people to come forward with information – crucially focused on how Janet’s jeans and knickers from that night have never been found.
A report came in from some children about finding some clothing near the riverbank, but when police arrived, they had gone.
DCI Bryony Midgley also appealed directly to those who may know something but have held back from telling police.
She said during her appeal: “You might not have felt able to come forward with information in June 1996 and in the years afterwards, but loyalties and relationships change and it could be you can now speak to officers.”
See DCI Midgley’s full statement at the spot where Janet was killed, 30 years ago today or watch on YouTube
Independent charity Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of who is responsible for Janet’s murder.
They worked independently of police and can be contacted anonymously on 0800555111.
