Murder Appeal Re-launched 19 Years On

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• Kent Police

Nineteen years after the murder of teenager Claire Tiltman in Greenhithe, Kent, her devastated father has made an emotional plea to bring her killer to justice.

Dartford Grammar School pupil Claire was 16 years old when she was stabbed in an alleyway just off the busy A226 London Road in Greenhithe on 18 January 1993. She had been on her way to visit a friend when she was attacked at between 6pm and 6.30pm ? a time when many road and rail commuters were returning home from work.

A major murder investigation was launched but her killer has never been caught and convicted. The case remains open and has been subject to a number of reviews by Cold Case detectives within the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate. A number of new leads and evidence have been uncovered over the years which have been thoroughly explored and officers remain committed to bringing Claire's killer to justice.

Speaking from his bed in a nursing home, 62-year-old Cliff Tiltman, said: "It would mean everything to me to find out, after all these years, who did this to Claire. It's been a long time, but I've never given up hope and never will.

'I can't begin to put into words how this has affected our family. Claire has gone. Her mum has gone. There is now only me. I try to stay strong but will still hide and cry my eyes out for an hour. She would have been 35 now, she was a good kid. I miss her to bits."

Detective Chief Inspector Rob Vinson, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said: "If, as I believe, the killer is a local person, someone must know who he or she is. At the very least, someone must have strong suspicions and has a duty to come forward. The breakthrough we, and Cliff needs, could be just one phone call away.

"Advances in technology around DNA mean that we can review opportunities which were not available to detective 20 years ago. All unsolved murders within Kent are reviewed every two years. They are never closed and the fact that we constantly review them demonstrates that we are determined to bring offenders to justice, no matter how long ago the crimes were committed."

If you have information which may help with the investigation, contact the incident room on 01634 884010. Alternatively, telephone Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.