30/09/2005

Model murder linked to sex attack case

The murder of eighteen-year-old model Sally Anne Bowman has been linked to another sex attack carried out four years ago.

Police have confirmed that DNA evidence has linked the murder in Croydon, south London, to a sex attack in Purley, Surrey, in 2001.

Miss Bowman’s body was found lying on the pavement next to a skip near her home in south Croydon. She had been stabbed and sexually assaulted.

Police said that Sally Anne had been out with friends in Lloyds Bar in Croydon on Saturday night, before going to a friend’s house.

Police believe that she was later collected by her ex-boyfriend, who dropped her off outside her home in Blenheim Crescent.

It is believed that she was murdered between 04:15am and 04:30am on Sunday morning.

Four men arrested in connection with Sally Anne’s murder, including her 20-year-old former boyfriend, have now been released without charge. Police said that the forensic information had helped to eliminate the men from the inquiry.

At a press conference on Thursday, Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Cundy, gave a description of a man they wished to speak to in connection with the murder. He is described as white, in his 20s or 30s, between 5ft 9ins and 6ft tall and of proportionate build. He had short dark hair and was clean-shaven and is believed to have been wearing dark trousers or jeans and a long-sleeved top at the time of the attack.

DCI Cundy said that the man may have committed other attacks and urged anyone who had been the victim of a sexual attack in the south Croydon or Purley areas since 2001 to come forward. He also warned women in the areas to exercise caution.

Police are continuing to search for the murder weapon and asked anyone who had seen a discarded knife to come forward.

Miss Bowman’s white Prada handbag and her Samsung D500 mobile phone are also missing and police have appealed to anyone who may have information on the items to come forward.

(KMcA/SP)

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