Fear may explain silence over murder of woman in 1994, say police in new appeal

Detectives working on the cold case of a woman who was murdered 32 years ago have renewed their call for information, saying people at the time may have kept silent out of "loyalty or fear".

In a fresh appeal, police are telling potential witnesses: "It is never too late to do the right thing."

Julie Finley, 23, was strangled and her naked body dumped in a carrot field north-west of St Helens in Merseyside in 1994.

She was last seen at about 11pm the night before, talking to an unknown white man of average height and build and aged in his 20s or 30s at the back of the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

Now more than three decades later, police are appealing for witnesses again.

Detective Inspector Sam Davies said: "We know that back in 1994 people may have had information about Julie's death which, either through loyalty or fear, they didn't bring to our attention.

"My message would be it is never too late to do the right thing and tell us what you know, no matter how small.

"One piece of information could be key to solving the case and bringing the person responsible to justice."

Read more from Sky News:
Early release of PC Harper killers under review
Man's body found in burning car in Portadown

A witness at the time said he saw a young woman matching the victim's description arguing with a man at about 12.30am on 6 August 1994 outside the Wheatsheaf public house in Rainford, just 50 yards from where her body was found later that day.

(c) Sky News 2026: Fear may explain silence over murder of woman in 1994, say police in new appeal