POLICE have revealed a new DNA breakthrough which could solve the murder of nurse Janet Brown who was battered to death 25 years ago.
Detectives are using familial DNA to search for a relative with the same genetic code as Janet’s killer.
The 51-year-old mum-of-three was gagged, handcuffed and battered to death with a blunt heavy weapon while alone at the family’s remote home in Radnage, near High Wycombe, Bucks on April 10 1995.
Police say their “working hypothesis” is that Oxford University research nurse Janet died in a burglary which went wrong.
But they are baffled over why the break-in happened when Janet was still up with the lights on in the house and two cars parked in the driveway.
Nothing was stolen and there was no evidence of any sexual assault.
In an appeal for information marking the 25th anniversary of Janet’s murder tomorrow, her youngest daughter Roxanne, 42, said: “Sometimes it feels just like yesterday.
“I just wish I knew what happened.”
Police were given renewed hope of solving the mystery when the killer’s DNA sample from the crime scene was obtained five years ago.
But the profile did not match any on National DNA Database or European law enforcement systems.
Around 700 men with links to the area at the time have been screened by police and eliminated as suspects.
Janet’s oldest daughter Zara, 47, said: “It seems unbelievable that they have got away with it.”
“None of it makes sense.”
If they are no longer alive we can find out who they are from any male living relatives.
Pete Beirne, Thames Valley Police major review team principle investigator
Speaking of the killer, Thames Valley Police major review team principle investigator Pete Beirne said: “If they are no longer alive we can find out who they are from any male living relatives.”
Mr Beirne said the Y chromosome in the DNA profile taken from the murder scene would match the killer’s father, son or brother.
Familial DNA can be used an intelligence indicator to a suspect but cannot be used as evidence in court.
However, police are prepared to apply to a court to exhume the body of any serious suspect who emerges.
They believe the killer struck between 8.15pm and 10.15pm on the night Janet was murdered – seemingly breaking in by using a glass cutting wheel to make a man-sized hole in the patio doors.
Janet was naked, getting ready for bed and had neatly folded her clothes when she was confronted by her killer in the master bedroom.
A set of metal handcuffs was used to restrain her and masking tape was bound round her nose and mouth.
She was then bludgeoned to death at the bottom of a flight of stairs leading down to the living room.
A pathologist said Janet died from head injuries, though would have suffocated from her gag if she had survived the blows.
A £20,000 reward has been offered jointly by police and Crimestoppers for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the killer or killers.
Anyone with information about Janet’s murder is urged to call 101 and ask for the Thames Valley Police major crime review team, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
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