Muriel was seen at 2:30PM, singing as she exited the school bus. "[4] Police also circulated photos of the United States Army-issued gun; notably, perspex had been used to modernise the original wooden stocks next to the grip. Their bodies were found buried in a Carmarthenshire kale field in 1953 you can read the full story here. On his way home, he passed Muriel as she walked along the path. He died at that address in 1971. On July 7, 1946, eleven-year-old Sheila Martin was raped and strangled in woods near her home in Dartford. This seems like a dubious connection because there is roughly 230 miles (370 kilometres) between Dartford and Penllergaer,but on the day of Sheilas murder a large race meeting was held at Brands Hatch with over 9,000 attendees, one of whom could have been both Muriel and Shielas killer. Then for 3 years he was registered at Colinette Road Putney as Harry Stevens. On the back of the coat, a no-longer-visible semen stain was circled with yellow crayon. The murder of Muriel Drinkwater (Welsh: Llofruddiaeth Muriel Drinkwater),[2] also known as the Little Red Riding Hood murder, is an unsolved 1946 child murder case from Wales. Police records from the time show that Muriel's mother was the last person to see her alive. ", "Groundbreaking DNA test rules out childkiller in unsolved murder", 74 years ago, Muriel Drinkwater was murdered. Regards. The last person who reported seeing her was Hubert Hoyles, then 13, who passed her on the path returning from her family farm, where he had gone to buy eggs. A brother, nephew, grandson. (My belief now is that the suspect he referred to was Hubert Hoyles who as a 13 year-old boy had come into contact with Muriels family shortly before her murder. Her body was eventually found in a nearby lane, but it was the discovery of her handkerchief in the shops shed which saw Jones accused and stand trial for her death. Pinterest. Advertisement. There was another murder in 1943. There was a camp a mile away in Grovesend. Her mother Margaret watched from the house as the youngest of. Thanks again ~ Christine, Your email address will not be published. Great questions! He said, ``She was regularly seen walking, skipping and singing in the woods as she made her way each day from her home to the . Two other specific persons of interest have been put forward. On 29 August 2021, I sent the following email to Freedom Of Information at South Wales Police. "She lost sight of her for a few moments. Muriel, who lived on Tyle-Du farm at Penllergaer, near Swansea, went missing on Thursday, June 27th, 1946, and her body was found next day in Penllergaer woods. Twelve-year-old Muriel Drinkwater was singing as she walked along the mile-long path to her home after getting off a school bus. "My grandparents changed completely. Video, 00:01:28, The 'smart suit' that is changing children's lives, View from the cockpit of a Ukraine combat helicopter. Fifteen days later, Jones murdered 11-year-old neighbour Florence Little too, hiding her body in the attic of his parents' home. Hi Neil. Muriel N Drinkwater (born Maker) was born on month day 1903, at birth place, to Thomas L Maker and Margaret L Maker (born Baum). Birth: 16 Jan 1878: Roll on another 2 months for a denied request. All the best with pursuing answers in this case, and please keep us updated. The Little Red Riding Hood murder of Muriel Drinkwater. Read about our approach to external linking. Farm Heroes Saga, the #4 Game on iTunes. Video, 00:01:00At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Dog found alive after 23 days under rubble. Hi Sherlock. The unanswered question, however, is whether or not the killer was specifically waiting for Muriel or if any girl or woman who happened by would have made a suitable target. I informed D.C.I. They also announced in May 2019 that Abertillery double child killer Harold Jones had also been cleared of Muriels murder. However, in 2008, a team of retired detectives investigating cold cases found Drinkwater's clothes in storage. Advertisement. It was an article that said that Harries had worked for Muriel's father John at the time of her murder. She was hoping in her lifetime to find out who killed her aunt. Video, 00:01:00, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Dog found alive after 23 days under rubble. Born in the summer of 1933, she was the youngest of four children and lived with her parents Percy and Margaret on a small farm called Tyle-Du, near Positive reviews really help others find our show. "[14][5], In 2020, the BBC One documentary Dark Land: Hunting the Killers suggested that Ronnie Harries could be the murderer. Trump rages at Mark Zuckerberg amid claims group linked to Facebook boss gave $2 million to Georgia elections board - and says Dems are 'trying to steal a SECOND election'. "Each case is reviewed periodically. 12 year old Muriel Drinkwater had only a mile to travel from the South Wales village of Penllergaer to the farm she lived on with her family. Thanks again for sharing this. [16][17], In 2010, the Lord Chancellor's Advisory Council on National Records and Archives closed off public access to the case, acting at the behest of Scotland Yard. In 1946, 12-year-old Muriel Drinkwater was murdered in the woods of Swansea, Wales. It is one of the oldest active cold cases in the United Kingdom. sample from Harold Jones daughter. Detective Chief Inspector Mark Lewis, head of the Specialist Crime Review Unit said: 'The results of the forensic examination categorically confirm that Jones was not responsible for the murder of Muriel Drinkwater. Filmed as part of documentary Dark Land: Hunting the Killers, that is being shown on BBC Wales, the name of murderer Ronnie Harries, the last man to have been hanged in Carmarthen, has been put forward by the team that is headed by the former chief constable of Dyfed Powys Police Jackie Roberts. Margaret went out into the yard and her and Muriel exchanged waves. Murder. I can be contacted at [emailprotected] or via Facebook messenger. Some people turn to the murder weapon for answers and suggest that the killer was either an American serviceman who had previously been stationed at Penllergaer or that an American soldier may have sold the gun to the perpetrator in the village. This will enable the police to identify Muriels murderer by taking and testing swabs from the perpetrators sons, grandsons, or even great-grandsons. First, I was told that South Wales Police werent obliged to say. But in 2003, when the case was reopened for review, forensics experts had a major breakthrough when they found a semen stain on Muriel's coat. "All historic murder cases, or 'cold cases', are allocated to the Specialist Crime Review Unit and remain under active consideration and will be subject of re-investigation as and when new information is received or when there are advances in forensic science. Take a second to support Christine on Patreon! Perhaps one day then there'll still be justice for Muriel Drinkwater - even if it might have to stretch beyond the grave. profiling. I am leaning towards it being a targeted attack, in part because of the positioning of the perpetrator as you mentioned. Muriel Drinkwater was laying on her back, one arm outstretched by her side and the other slightly raised. from Ron Harries and his cousin and from Muriels coat and yet are not releasing the results of the tests. 2023 The True Crime Files. Hi. Over the years, South Wales Police have fought tooth and nail to prevent me gaining any information under the Freedom of Information Requests Act. Her parents Harold and Muriel Jones/Stevens kept a lot of secrets from this daughter one of which may be that she wasnt Harolds daughter. Muriel Drinkwater murder: Who killed 'Little Red Riding Hood'? Video, 00:02:56Detectives to revisit unsolved murder, Tears of relief after man found in Amazon jungle. But when they tested a stain on Muriel's coat it did not come up with a link to child murderer Harold Jones - who is also suspected of being a serial killer dubbed Jack the Stripper. Video, 00:02:36, Up Next. A familial DNA profile was extracted using a technique called Y-STR, but no match was found in the national DNA database. 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Accountant Graham Wildin built an incredible 10,000sq/ft leisure complex - which has a bowling alley, casino, a cinema and more - at the back of his home. The D.N.A. This was no spur of the moment event. Paul says: "Muriel had almost made it to the home. Thank you for all your assistance in this matter, the information you have provided has proved to be very helpful. Thank you for sharing this detailed update on Muriels case with the community. Welsh author Neil Milkinsargues that Harold Jones,a convicted murderer who killed two girls in Abertillery in 1921 when he was just 15 years old, was Muriels killer. She was singing on the school bus with her friends, on the afternoon of June 27, 1946, when she was dropped on the side of the road near her family's farm on the outskirt of Swansea. Edith Patten had been buried in the old town cemetery and was left behind when officials relocated the graves in the 1930s. "We realise whoever did this might be dead, but if he is alive and in his 80s or even 90s we would like to see him behind bars," said Muriel's great-niece Claire Phillips, speaking about developments last October. Thank you once again and I wish you every success with your forthcoming publication. Taking into consideration all of the above information and the decades that have passed since Muriel was killed, I think that the only way this case will be closed is through a familial DNA match. Twelve-year-old Muriel Drinkwater was a choirgirl who dreamed of being a schoolteacher. This post deals with sexual assault and might be triggering for some readers. ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM. The hardest part then was actually finding the materials," he told the documentary. He also fixates on the fact that he is married to a younger woman, that she is five years younger than him, that she started going out with him when she was still in school. 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The authorities went as far as to suggest that someone in the Penllergaer region knows about the murder weapon but is protecting the owner by withholding information. "Given the sheer level of violence that he inflicted on his own relatives, I can't quite believe that this would be the first instance of his violence.". Who killed 'Little Red Riding Hood'? If information comes in from the public or other forces we act on it. I hope Margaret gets the answers she deserves sooner rather than later. He clearly wasn't very bright, and there's evidence that you see of overkill with Muriel Drinkwater's case as well.". Twelve-year-old Muriel Drinkwater was a choirgirl who dreamed of being a schoolteacher. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. On June 27, 1946, 12-year-old Muriel Drinkwater made her way home from school in Penllergaer, Swansea (UK). The savage nature of the attack stands out from other rapes. He must have known she was near home because she waved and if we are saying this was a planned attack he wouldve studied Muriels routine, studied her route, he was near where her route went, that is a very specific route to go in and out the forest, and with balance of probability he therefore must have known Muriel and her family business to cripple the mother to cripple the business. Heres hoping one day soon Muriel gets some semblance of justice. On 27th June 1946 a school girl was walking through countryside on her way home. Investigators now allege theyve identified her murderer. with South Wales Police has recently conceded that it CANNOT be categorically stated that Harold Jones has been ruled out completely as Muriels killer. - Listen to The Unsolved Murder of Muriel Drinkwater by The True Crime Files instantly on your tablet, phone or browser - no downloads needed. Martin well remembers a young girl who was "always full of life" and would always be skipping and singing. But in 2003, when the case was reopened for review, forensics experts found a semen stain found on Muriel's coat. "I have spoken to Muriel's family and bring them up to date with the latest details of this investigation. 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Although the profile was loaded into the UK National DNA Database, it failed to match any of the approximately five million DNA records held there. The coat had been lying forgotten in police storage for decades but after much searching was found by retired DCI Bethell's cold case team and is thought to be one of the oldest pieces of crime scene evidence in the world. This was a big news story at the time. Bethell was thrilled to discover that on the back of the coat, a no-longer visible dried semen stain was circled with yellow crayon. Bethell sent the coat toDr. Colin Dark, and over the course of three years (MUCH longer than depicted on television and in the movies) Bethell analyzed the material and was able to extract enough fragments of DNA tosuccessfully create a Y-STR profile from the semen stain. I am not a DNA scientist so sadly I cannot answer this question for you. 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And four months after Jones left the army Muriel was raped and shot dead as she walked home from a school bus in Penllergaer, Swansea. In fact, it was recently used to identifyJoseph James DeAngelo, the suspected Golden State Killer who is thought to be responsible for at least a dozen murders and 50 rapes in the 1970s and 1980s in the United States. The Photo Request has been fulfilled. In a Welsh village during the summer of 1946, a 12-year-old girl is brutally murdered. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Thanks again and take care. Was a local stalking Muriel? If you can contact [emailprotected] Id really appreciate it. request regarding the unsolved murder of 12 year-old Muriel Drinkwater near Swansea in June 1946. The new B.B.C. Despite a number of leads and suspects, police have not been able to identify her killer. Her killer has never been caught and it remains among the most notorious unsolved murders in Welsh history you can read more of them here. The team are still investigating if this has any relevance to the case and are appealing for anyone with information about it to come forward. The crime scene is a short distance from the farmhouse. Drinkwater, a 12-year-old schoolgirl, was raped and shot in the woods in Penllergaer, Swansea. Video, 00:01:00One-minute World News, WATCH: Key moments from PM's NI Brexit deal speech. Thank you for the update. Over 20,000 men were interviewed about the crime . Importantly, though, the DNA results cleared Hoyles of any involvement in Muriels murder. You are talking about 74 years ago now and nothing has been able to close the matter.". Hi Neil Paul.. A much loved, very kind and thoughtful person who did great things for people but never expected anything in return. Who killed 'Little Red Riding Hood'? If you have any information about Muriels murder, please contact the South Wales Policevia email at[emailprotected], Mystery of 1946 murder in woods BBC News article, The real waking the dead: This schoolgirls savage murder has mystified police for 62 years. Colin Dark suggested the possibillity of using D.N.A to identify who took the books into the shop with the hope of identifying the killer. Regards. Hi Neil. He described the search for the clothes that had been taken from the crime scene. GRAPHIC DESCRIPTIONS. Joseph James DeAngelo, the suspected Golden State Killer, The real waking the dead: This schoolgirls savage murder has mystified police for 62 years. Now cutting-edge forensics to rival any TV thriller have identified her killers DNA, Unsolved: The Little Red Riding Hood murder, Muriel Drinkwater murder file is declared secret at request of police, The Disappearance of Audrey Moran and Jonathan Reynoso. Her mother seen her approaching 400 yards away, so perhaps she was a selected victim. [15] There is evidence that Harries was employed by Drinkwater's father, John, at the time of her death. See link to Jones and other murders. The murder of Muriel Drinkwater is an unsolved 1946 child murder case from Wales. The True Crime Files is dedicated to all things #TrueCrime. South Wales Police's Specialist Crime Review Unit has today finally ruled out Jones - who died from cancer in 1971 - from their investigation. Unless he bludgeoned first then he raped, this would have caught her by surprise. Hi Neil. "The results of the forensic examination categorically confirm that Harold Jones was not responsible for the murder of Muriel Drinkwater," says DCI Mark Lewis, head of the unit. On the afternoon of Muriels murder, thirteen-year-old Hoyles purchased eggs from Muriels mother at their family farm. , though, the 'smart suit ' that is changing children 's lives, View the! 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