A reward of £20,000 is now up for grabs for anyone who can help solve the murder case of a law student that occurred 30 years ago. The authorities are turning to the memories of Euro ’96 in hopes of uncovering new leads in the death of Janet Murgatroyd, aged 20, whose body was discovered in a river after a night out. Andrew Greenwood, who was 28 at the time, was found guilty of manslaughter in 2003 and served an eight-year prison sentence. However, his conviction was overturned on appeal the following year.
Janet met her tragic end in the early hours of June 16. Three decades later, Crimestoppers has issued a plea for information that could lead to the apprehension and prosecution of those responsible. Janet was out with a friend on the evening of Saturday, June 15, 1996, a day marked by the Manchester Arndale bombing and the England vs. Scotland Euro ’96 match.
In a statement released through Lancashire Constabulary, Janet’s mother, Mary, expressed her anguish, stating, “Janet Murgatroyd, my only child, was brutally murdered 30 years ago. The perpetrator is still at large; someone knows who this man is.”
Janet and her friend were last seen at the Adelphi pub in Preston, Lancashire, before parting ways. Janet left the pub with a known individual, walking down Fishergate before separating in the Church Street area. CCTV footage captured Janet walking alone along Fishergate towards her residence in Penwortham.
Authorities had previously indicated that Janet, a part-time police staff member, was likely targeted for sexual motivations in the attack. Two witnesses reported hearing a woman’s distress and observed a man crouched on the River Ribble’s bank.
Her lifeless body was later discovered in the water. The autopsy revealed that she died from drowning and head injuries. Mary added, “Janet was on her way home after a day celebrating with her pal, having bought tickets for a holiday abroad. She couldn’t get a taxi, so she started to walk home to Penwortham. I need closure, this continues to affect me and my siblings. The killer needs putting away.”
Appealing directly, a spokesperson for Lancashire Constabulary highlighted the significance of the day, mentioning the IRA bombing at the Arndale shopping center in Manchester and the England vs. Scotland Euro 96 match. Detective Chief Inspector Bryony Midgley expressed determination to bring justice for Janet and her family, leveraging advancements in DNA technology and scientific techniques over the years.
Midgley urged potential witnesses to come forward, emphasizing the importance of any overlooked details that could aid the investigation. Anyone with information or who was in the Fishergate Hill and Penwortham Bridge area on the night of June 15 is urged to contact the dedicated detective team working on the case.