Police investigating the murder of a woman who was strangled then dumped in woodland have identified a “complete male DNA profile” on her clothing. Michelle Bettles was just 22 when she was found dead on Easter Sunday 2002, the weekend the Queen Mother died.
Her body was discovered beside a country track in the village of Scarning in Norfolk by a local dog walker. And despite extensive investigation, the young woman's killer has never been caught.
Michelle was a sex worker in Norwich and was last seen in the city’s red light district at around midnight on March 28, 2002. A forensic review was launched in March this year, on the 20th anniversary of her death.
Norfolk Police said the review has identified several DNA samples on her clothing, “including a complete male DNA profile”. Detectives are trying to identify the male, and forensic work on the other samples is also continuing.
Major crime review manager Andy Guy said: “There have been multiple advances in forensic science over recent years which have significantly advanced this investigation, so I ask anybody who knows what happened to Michelle or has suspicions regarding who may be responsible to do the right thing and contact us.
“I would also urge any man who had legitimate personal contact with Michelle to come forward and be eliminated from the inquiry, before we contact you.”
CCTV footage showed Michelle walking along St Benedict’s Street towards Norwich city centre at 8.20pm on March 28. She had missed a meeting with a regular client who she had arranged to meet close to her home in the Dereham Road area.
Police say this suggests she never intended to keep the appointment with the regular client as she was heading in the opposite direction. There was also a report of a potential sighting of her in the City Road area that same evening.
Michelle's parents, John Bettles and Denise Taylor, appealed earlier this year for people to come forward with any information that might assist the investigation. Detectives received eight calls from members of the public offering names of possible friends or contacts of the murder victim.
Information from these calls is still being investigated, the force said. Anyone with information is asked to contact the major crime review team on 01953 423819 or email unsolvedcasereviews@norfolk.police.uk
Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. Or visit the police website here.
