The daughter of a woman murdered 30 years ago has pleaded for anyone with information to come forward, saying 'someone out there knows what happened'. Vera Holland, 47, was found dead beneath a pile of burning rubbish on a fly-tip known as the 'Two Bridges' near a Thames Water pumping station in Reading on November 16, 1996. It was later established she had been strangled before her body was left there.
Family's plea for justice
Speaking on behalf of the family three decades on, Vera's daughter Dawn Bennett said they 'feel the loss and heartbreak of losing her every day'. She said: 'It is devastatingly hard to believe that thirty years have passed since our mum was murdered, yet her killer remains free.'
'She was only 47 when her life was stolen from us. Back then, she was a devoted mother to myself, my brother and sister and a very proud grandmother of seven. She was robbed of the chance to watch her grandchildren grow, and those born after her death never got to experience her boundless love and affection.'
'Someone out there knows exactly what happened to our mum. I implore you to come forward and contact the police with any piece of information, no matter how small. Thirty years is an agonisingly long time to wait for justice, especially while the person responsible has been allowed to carry on living their life freely.'
Last seen heading to KFC
Vera was last seen two days before her body was found, on November 14, after leaving her home in St Barnabas Road to buy a takeaway from KFC on Shinfield Road. The journey should have only taken her a few minutes, but she failed to return home. Investigators do not believe Vera ever reached the KFC as she could not be seen on any CCTV. The branch remains there to this day.
Vera was reported to have been wearing a pink coat, green tartan shirt, black jumper and black shoes. None of these items have ever been recovered.
Police renew appeal
Peter Beirne, head of Thames Valley Police's major crime review team, said: 'Thirty years is a long time, but we are determined to find justice for Vera and her loved ones. I believe there are people who know something about what happened to Vera but have never spoken to police.'
'There may be someone who thought a piece of information was insignificant at the time, someone who was frightened to come forward, or someone whose loyalties have changed over the years. Relationships change, friendships end, and circumstances change. You may have felt it was impossible to share information in 1996. You may have been unsure whether what you knew was important, believed someone else had already spoken to police, or felt unable to come forward at the time, but you can now come forward.'
'The time has come to tell us what you know. One conversation, one memory or one piece of information could be the key to finally identifying the person responsible. If you know something, however small, please come forward.'
Anyone with information can call the force on 101, quoting reference number 0529 (6/11), or email the force at majorcrimereviewteam@thamesvalley.police.uk.
