How brutal murder of girl, 14, dumped in water-filled pit 30 years ago remains a mystery as cops still hunt for killer
THIRTY years ago on a foggy Boxing Day morning, the half-naked body of a 14-year-old girl was found face down in a water-filled pit.
Johanna Young had vanished from her home in Watton, Norfolk, three days before the tragic discovery was made.
The teenager was spotted several times as she walked around the town centre, which was full of festive shoppers.
Her worried parents raised the alarm after Johanna failed to show up for her paper round on December 24, 1992.
Tragically, her body was found on Boxing Day by a dog walker who had seen her shoes in undergrowth.
Johanna had been dumped face down in a water-filled mudstone pit.
Her lower clothing had been removed and her jeans were missing – although police said there was no evidence of a sexual motive.
A post mortem revealed she died from drowning and a fractured skull.
Police launched a murder probe and spoke to a number of people but her killer has never been found.
The investigation remains open with officers still desperate for leads.
Norfolk Police said: “We will continue to seek any new information on this difficult case from the people in Watton and surrounding areas that can help bring closure to the case for the family of Johanna.”
The night Johanna vanished was described as particularly “foggy” and cold.
She was seen between 7.30pm and 8.45pm as she walked through the town centre but there were no further sightings.
Her parents woke to find her missing the next day but assumed she was with friends or her boyfriend.
It was only when she failed to show up for work that alarm bells started ringing and a search was launched.
After her body was found, local men in the area were targeted by police with three arrested and questioned.
In 2014, a witness came forward with “critical information” claiming they saw a “dishevelled and slightly distressed” man close to where the body was found.
The suspect was wearing a hooded top and was taken around five miles away to Scoulton after asking for a lift.
But no charges have ever been brought despite numerous appeals for information.
Johanna’s parents Carol and Robert have revealed their torment at their daughter’s killing.
Speaking previously, Carol said: “We do celebrate Christmas but it’s never quite the same.
“We tried to carry on for the sake of our other children, and as a family we just continue the best we can, but Johanna is in our thoughts all the time.”