Cold case review aims to solve 40-year-old murder mystery with Ripon link“Near Scawton Moor House, you will find a decomposed body among the willowherbs,” said a well-spoken voice during a phonecall to Ripon Police Station in 1981.
The caller refused to give his name, citing national security reasons, and hung up.
That anonymous call only lasted a few seconds. But it sparked one of the most enduring mysteries North Yorkshire Police has ever encountered.
And more than 40 years on, the mystery remains.
After the call ended, officers went to the scene near Sutton Bank and found the woman’s decomposed remains in the undergrowth, exactly as the caller described.
Despite extensive investigations at the time and in the years that followed, she has never been identified.
But today, a specialist cold case team is revisiting the investigation in a bid to finally solve the mystery.
They now believe gaps in people’s family tree could give them fresh leads that could finally unlock the secrets of the case.
Body exhumed
The last time detectives actively investigated the case was 2012 when her body was exhumed from an unmarked grave to gather new DNA evidence.
And while there have always been theories that foul play was involved, there has never been enough evidence to officially categorise it as homicide.
The case was featured on Crimewatch Live last night. Credit: BBC/Crimewatch Live
Adam Harland, a former detective who is now head of North Yorkshire Police’s Cold Case Review Team, is leading the review and has launched a fresh appeal.
“This has been one of the most enduring mysteries I’ve worked on,” he said. “It’s highly unusual for someone who has died in these circumstances to remain unidentified for decades.
“Despite the passage of time, nobody deserves to be simply forgotten about – this was someone’s mother. And it’s likely she had friends who cared about her.”
Past investigations have been extremely thorough. But science and forensics have come on leaps and bounds since the 1980s.
Mr Harland said:
“If names are put forward, we’re now in a position where we can apply this information to our DNA forensic records for this lady.
“Local knowledge may offer up this information. People’s lives and allegiances move on, and time can tease out information that has been closely guarded in the past.
“Another possibility is someone who’s researched their family tree might have found a gap, or discovered a relative who disappeared from official records around 1979 to 1981 without any clear explanation.”
“Police forces have used similar techniques for cold case investigations in the past and while they may seem unconventional, they can provide the missing piece to the jigsaw.
“I’d rather 200 names were put to us and 199 were wrong than nothing to work from at all. That one piece of information could be all we need now to solve a decades-old mystery.”
Probably died in 1979
To help people narrow down the search, North Yorkshire Police has confirmed the mystery woman was probably born between 1935 and 1940, making her between 39 and 44 when she died.
It was impossible to determine an exact date of death. But other evidence at the scene, and her advanced state of decomposition, led detectives to believe she probably died in 1979.
A post-mortem showed she gave birth to two or perhaps three babies, who could now be in their 60s.
She was white with brown hair, around 5ft 4ins tall and wore size-four shoes.
She had several distinguishing features, including a mild upper spine malformation that could have made her hold her head at an unusual angle.
She also had several missing teeth and other evidence of a lifestyle that involved regular smoking and drinking.
The wax model.
A wax model of her face was sculpted in the 1980s, based on skeletal evidence, and investigators still believe this is a reasonably accurate depiction.
The case was featured on the BBC’s Crimewatch Live yesterday.
DNA advances
The press at the time dubbed the case “the nude in the nettles” – a reference to how the woman’s body was found, although she was actually discovered in a willowherb patch by the side of a rural road on the edge of the North York Moors.
The development of a DNA database which is now used extensively in suspicious death investigations would not exist for another 14 years.
Because of this, a DNA match would now rely on a living son or daughter of the woman committing a crime and being added to it, which is unlikely given their age range – most crimes are committed by younger people.
But investigators hope the passage of time can now provide the missing link that enables them to finally identify the woman and resolve a decades-long mystery.
Mr Harland said:
“Someone, somewhere could be sitting there with information they’ve never felt able to share, or a family tree wondering who this person was. My message to them is simple: I’d like to hear from you.”
If you have information that could help this North Yorkshire Police cold case review, email coldcasereviewunit@northyorkshire.police.uk with a summary of the information you have. A member of the cold case team will record it and may make contact with you to discuss it further.
Local attractions offer free and reduced entry to lottery playersSeveral of the Harrogate district’s most popular visitor attractions are offering free or half price admission until Sunday.
National Lottery Open Week is being staged to thank lottery players for contributing to good causes.
Places that have benefited from lottery funding, including Fountains Abbey in Ripon, RHS Harlow Carr and Ripon Museum Trust are among those taking part.
RHS Harlow Carr
Anyone who presents a lottery ticket or scratch card (digital or physical) at the National Trust-owned Fountains Abbey‘s visitor reception can visit the historic site for free.
Fountains Abbey. Photo: J Shepherd
RHS Harlow Carr is offering 2-for-1 entry for anyone that presents their lottery ticket or scratch card.
Ripon Museum Trust is offering a 50% discount to lottery players on Saturday to individuals and family groups that show a National Lottery ticket or scratch card on arrival at its three venues. They are the Liberty Courthouse, Prison & Police and Workhouse museums
Helen Thornton, museum trust director, said:
“We’ve been fortunate to receive National Lottery funding which enabled us to purchase the Workhouse Museum site and also to progress our future development plans.
“This is our way of saying thank you to everyone who has bought a National Lottery ticket, helped us on our journey and made a vital contribution to supporting good causes.”
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Darren Henley, chief executive of Arts Council England and chair of the National Lottery Forum, added:
“The National Lottery Open Week is a fantastic opportunity for hundreds of venues and projects across the UK to say thanks to players who raise £30 million each week for good causes.”
Further details about National Lottery Open Week available here.
Red Arrows set to fly over Harrogate district this weekThe Red Arrows are set to perform a flypast over the Harrogate district this week.
The RAF aerobatic team are set to fly from their base at RAF Scampton to RAF Leeming on Thursday (March 24).
According to a military airshow website, the Red Arrows are due to pass over Harrogate at 2.01pm.
The team will also fly over Burton Leonard and Ripon on their way to RAF Leeming before returning to Lincolnshire.
It comes as the Red Arrows have been confirmed to perform at a number of airshows this summer.
Among the events include airshows in Eastbourne, Teeside and South Devon.
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Firefighters battle large wildfire near Brimham RocksFirefighters from Harrogate and Knaresborough tackled a wildfire on moorland near Brimham Rocks this afternoon.
The cause of the blaze, which affected a 50 metre x 50 metre stretch of land at the popular visitor spot near Pateley Bridge, is unknown.
The fire, which was reported at 2pm, was extinguished quickly.
But it prompted Harrogate Fire Station to issue a warning to people to be aware that the land is dry and to be careful putting out cigarettes and avoid open fires and barbecues, except in safe areas.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service‘s incident log says:
“Crews used one hose reel jet and grass beaters to extinguish the heather fire which measured 50m x 50m. The cause is unknown at this time.
Harrogate Fire Station issued a tweet warning the land is dry and for people to be extra careful in the countryside.
Oven fire and trapped child
Firefighters responded to two other local fires today.
At 12.49pm, crews from Ripon and Bedale were summoned to reports of an oven on fire at a home in Melmerby.
The fire was out by the time the firefighters arrived.
At 2.41pm, Ripon firefighters responded to reports of a small child accidentally locked in a car at Stonebridgegate in Ripon.
The incident log says:
“Crews from Ripon released the child, who was distressed, by gaining entry through the rear window.”
Vaccine sites in Harrogate district gearing up for spring boostersVaccination sites in the Harrogate district are preparing to get busy again following the announcement of spring booster jabs.
Covid clinics in Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough and Pateley Bridge have wound down or paused since December.
But that is about to change after the government said people aged 75 and over, care home residents and people with weakened immune systems can now book fourth jabs.
Yorkshire Health Network, which is a federation of 17 GP practices in the Harrogate district, operates sites at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate and Ripon Races.
The showground will have its next clinic from 8.30am to 5pm on April 1.
The Ripon Races site.
Dates at Ripon Races are being finalised so they don’t clash with horse race meetings.
Tim Yarrow, operations manager at Yorkshire Health Network, said:
“We anticipate uptake to be high in the 75 and overs as Harrogate has a large population in that cohort.”
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Knaresborough and Pateley Bridge
Homecare Pharmacy Services’ site in Knaresborough.
Homecare Pharmacy’ Service‘s vaccination site at Chain Lane in Knaresborough is to add Monday covid clinics to its existing Friday and Saturday clinics. Bookings are encouraged to avoid having to wait.
Pateley Bridge Pharmacy, which paused its vaccination programme in December, plans to start again soon.
Samina Khan, who owns the pharmacy, said:
“I think we will restart in April, with bookings from March 25, but we are still finalising details.”
Infections rocketing
It comes as infection rates continue to soar in the Harrogate district.
The seven-day infection rate is now 885 per 100,000 people. It was 343 at the start of the month.
It is the highest rate in North Yorkshire and above the England rate of 833.
Harrogate West and Pannal Ash is the worst affected area in the county. It has recorded 135 positive cases in the last seven days.
Vandals daub swastika and ‘IRA’ on Ripon graveVandals have drawn a swastika, ‘Z’ and ‘IRA’ on the front and back of a gravestone in Ripon Cemetery.
North Yorkshire Police said today the attack was particularly shocking for Ripon’s military personnel.
It added it will be stepping-up patrols in the Ripon area “to prevent further incidents of this nature”. The cemetery is based on Kirby Road, close to Ripon Grammar School.
‘Z’ has appeared on the side of some Russian military vehicles in Ukraine.
Inspector Alex Langley, from the Ripon neighbourhood policing team said:
“Members of the public are quite rightly shocked by these instances of vandalism. This is particularly upsetting for the large military community that we have in Ripon.
“Incidents of this nature will not be tolerated, and I would urge anyone who has any information to contact us “.
Police urge anyone with information to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Katie Bell. Alternatively you can email katie.bell@northyorkshire.police.uk
Quote reference number 12220048095.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Ripon man who helped Ukrainian refugees set for hero’s return
A month after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Lewis Edwards is planning to return to his home city of Ripon with Ukrainian partner Tanya Bogdanovska.
Teachers Mr Edwards and Ms Bogdanovska fled Kyiv, where they had been working at a private school, on February 25.
Joining the mass migration of refugees who sought safety in neighbouring NATO countries, they arrived in Slovakia.
There, they and eight friends created a shelter to help Ukrainian women, children and men over 60 find sanctuary in other parts of Europe.
This morning Mr Edwards told the Stray Ferret:
“We are awaiting the outcome of Tanya’s application to travel with me to the UK and once all is in place, our plan is to head straight to Ripon.
“That will give us time to find our feet again, while being with family, friends and meeting some of people who have been so generous in supporting our work with refugees.”
Former soldier Mike Heelan is also returning home to Harrogate after travelling to Slovakia to help. Mr Edwards said:
“I would like to say a massive thank you to Mike Heelan, who came over from Harrogate when he read about what we have been doing in Slovakia.
“His help has been invaluable and we will be wishing him well when he heads off back to the UK later today.”
Former soldier Mike Heelan is returning to Harrogate.
Fundraising for Ukraine to continue
Their efforts have been supported by a gofundme page launched by Mr Edwards’ family. More than £19,000 has been raised.
Though they are leaving Slovakia, the fundraising will continue.
Mr Edwards’ mother, Ali, said:
“We are excited that he will be returning to the UK with Tanya and look forward to their safe arrival in Ripon.
“Though they leaving Slovakia, we are committed to continuing the fundraising for the people of Ukraine, who face a desperate situation for the foreseeable future. The monies raised will go to other groups who will be providing humanitarian assistance.”
The flag of Ukraine flies above Ripon Town Hall
The Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Eamon Parkin, supported the gofundme appeal through an event staged this month at The Magdalens Pub, which he owns and runs with his consort, Nigel Guy,
Cllr Parkin, said:
“We already have the flag of Ukraine flying on the town hall and Lewis and Tanya will be welcomed as heroes, when they arrive in the city.”
Funds raised in Ripon have been used to source ambulances, buy and transport vital medical supplies and food and provide shelter.
This work will continue, through the increased involvement of the Slovakian government, acting in liaison with humanitarian aid agencies and on-the-ground volunteer groups.
New Post Office opens in RiponA new Post Office has opened in the Costcutter store on Elm Road in Ripon.
The new branch, which opened on Friday, It open from 7am to 10pm, seven days a week.
It is the fourth Post Office in Ripon, which also has branches on Bondgate, Clotherholme Road and in The Arcade.
Customers will be able to post letters and parcels as well as pay bills, withdraw cash, return online shopping items and order travel money.
A press release by Post Office said the new branch was “part of an exciting modernisation and investment programme taking place across the Post Office network”.
Ian Murphy, Post Office network provision lead, said:
“We want to make it as easy as possible for customers to pay their bills, withdraw cash from their bank accounts, and send and collect their mail at a time and place that suits them best.
“We know how important our services are to customers, and we are confident that this brand-new Post Office alongside the Bondgate branch will ensure that people in this area of Ripon have easy access to our services.”
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Drink-drive charge after car crashes into Harrogate gardenHarrogate roads policing sergeant Paul Cording has published photos of a car that crashed into a Harrogate home over the weekend.
Sgt Cording, who regularly tweets about police life on the road, said the driver, who has not been named, had been charged with drink-driving and would appear in court next month. He tweeted:
“Thankfully no injuries and no one was in the garden at the time.”
He posted about the incident at about 7am yesterday morning.
During two busy weekend night shifts, Sgt Cording also tweeted about a car driver in Ripon refusing to stop when asked by police and the recovery of class A drugs.
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Sparkling awards evening for Ripon City Netball ClubRipon City Netball Club’s Falcons, Kestrels, Ospreys Eagles and Hawks, flocked together for their social highlight of the year — the annual awards.
More than 40 members from the teams, which are each named after birds of prey, gathered at Ripon Bowling Club on Saturday for a sparkling evening of prize presentations, congratulations and celebration of the 2021-2022 season.
The event was compered by the club’s head coach, Helen Mackenzie who, at Christmas, received her own accolade from former BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration when the votes of readers of the Stray Ferret saw her win the Harry’s Heroes community award.
Thandi Mahlangu, winner of the players’ player award for the Eagles, received her award from Alastair Little of Biffa.
The club, which was formed seven years ago, is based at Ripon Grammar School and has teams playing in the Harrogate, Hambleton and the North Yorkshire Ambassador leagues.
Its focus, since formation, has been on inclusivity, providing the opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to join in both sporting and social activities.
Club member Jackie Laugher (left) mother of GB diving star and triple Olympic medal winner Jack, presented Helen Mackenzie with gifts on behalf of the club.
Ms Mackenzie said:
“The aim since we set off has been to create a club based on three words – participate, enjoy, succeed.
“We are inclusive, welcoming all-comers.
“This sees mothers play alongside their daughters and siblings enjoying training and playing together.”
The trophies that were presented.
The award recipients
Presentations were made by Alastair Little, Yorkshire regional general manager of waste management and recycling company Biffa, one of the club’s sponsors.
For each team, trophies were awarded to the most improved player, the coach’s selected player and the players’ player.
The award winners were:
Falcons: Steph Parker, Jo Wallace, Helen Peacock
Kestrels: Suzanne Armstrong, Jen Addyman, Alice Scurr
Ospreys: Lindsey Stockdale, Karen Ellam, Becky Ash
Eagles: Lesley Watkinson, Cat Walmsley, Thandi Mahlangu
Hawks: Rachel Cattley, Karen Dodds, Laura Cardin
Winners of other club awards were: Nicole Greenwood, Nicola Lymer, Michelle Ingham, Kirsteen Dixon, Anne Groves, Beth Beadle and Hayley Blaymires.
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