Ipswich - Karen Hales murder appeal features on BBC Crimewatch

The brutal murder of a young mother at her home in Ipswich which occurred over 30 years ago has been subject of a renewed appeal on BBC Crimewatch Live.

Karen Hales’ body was discovered at her home address in Lavenham Road by her parents at approximately 4.40pm, on Sunday 21 November 1993.

Karen, aged 21, was found in the kitchen and had sustained multiple stab wounds and her body had been set alight. Her 18-month-old daughter was also in the house, but was fortunately unharmed.

A post-mortem examination concluded that the cause of death was attributed to shock and haemorrhage, secondary to multiple stab wounds.

Suffolk Police immediately launched a murder inquiry, involving a dedicated team of around 50 officers. They interviewed witnesses, carried-out fingertip searches, forensically examined Karen’s home and surrounding area, conducted house to house enquiries and questioned over 400 motorists in the hope that they might have seen something.

At the time, the investigation was one of the biggest murder hunts in Suffolk’s criminal history.

Detectives involved in the investigation followed up more than 1,400 lines of enquiry and a major publicity campaign created a vast flow of information from members of the public to the incident room.

Karen had been living at her home address in Lavenham Road with her long-term partner Peter and baby daughter Emily.

The day Karen was murdered, Sunday, 21 November 1993, had started ordinarily enough. Karen and Peter had spent the day visiting family and watching the television.

At 3pm Peter began getting ready for his afternoon shift at his place of work. Karen made him sandwiches and at 3.50pm she and Emily waved goodbye from the window.

10 minutes later Peter arrived at work. Soon after, Karen’s parents Geraldine and Graham Hales came to talk to him about a problem they were having with their car. They then called to see Karen and Emily on the way home.

About 4.40pm they knocked on her door, but there was no answer. Graham let himself in and could immediately smell smoke coming from the kitchen and it was there he found his daughter.

Almost 31 years on from Karen’s death, the case has today (Wednesday 9 October) appeared on BBC’s Crimewatch Live and officers have now revealed that there were three declared suspects for the murder, who have all now died.

By disclosing this information, the Unsolved Case Team hope that people who may have previously been afraid to come forward - or who felt some kind of loyalty to these individuals - will now feel able to speak without the fear of any form of repercussions.

Andy Guy, the Major Crime Review and Unsolved Case Team Manager, said: “Despite the passage of time, the effects of this senseless murder are still very much felt by Karen’s family – in particular her parents who had to endure the unimaginable trauma of discovering the crime scene - and also her daughter who never had the opportunity to know her mother.

“It is impossible to comprehend what drove someone to commit such an act of extreme violence on a 21-year-old mother in her own home, in front of her child who could have come to serious harm herself had her grandparents not arrived when they did and the fire had taken hold – which makes it all the more appalling.

“Although we keep an open mind as to who was responsible, there were three suspects for Karen’s murder, but unfortunately there was insufficient evidence over the years to proceed.

“What we know about these individuals is that they were violent, involved in drugs and domestic burglaries and if anybody knew or suspected they had any involvement in Karen’s murder, they may have been reticent to come forward.

“My hope in revealing that these people have now died is that those barriers will be removed. Although we cannot name these individuals, it is my belief that there will be people who know or suspect who was involved and they will be fully aware of who I am referring to.

“However, we are not ruling out that someone else beyond those three suspects could have been responsible for Karen’s murder and want to hear from anyone who believes they have information that could assist our enquiries.

“My message to those people who may know something is to please do the right thing and contact us. I urge you to watch the interview with Karen’s parents on Crimewatch and you will see for yourself how they are still tormented by her murder.

“Any sense of fear or old allegiances should now be set aside. Whatever information you have – however small or insignificant it may seem – could prove vital and help us to provide Karen’s family with the answers they deserve.”

The Crimewatch appeal can be viewed on BBC iPlayer for the next 28 days here: Crimewatch Live - Series 20: 8. Human Traffic - BBC iPlayer

Anyone who believes they may have information which could assist with the investigation into this murder, should contact the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Unsolved Case Team by calling 01953 423819, or by emailing [email protected]

Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form: www.crimestoppers-uk.org