Heres hoping one day soon Muriel gets some semblance of justice. Photo added by Tracey. Farm Heroes Saga, the #4 Game on iTunes. After a previous visit to the Drinkwater family farm, Hoyles was surprised when a man in his thirties withthick fluffy hair and wearing brown corduroy trousers and a light brown sports jacket stepped from the bushes at exactly the same location where Muriel was later ambushed. If you can contact [emailprotected] Id really appreciate it. Even though Jones died in 1971, his male descendants DNA could be tested to determine if he was the culprit responsible for Muriels murder. It was supposed to have been abandoned in 1944 but I know there were GIs who married Swansea girls still around in 1946. Read about our approach to external linking. Update: I have left it two weeks for the . All the best with pursuing answers in this case, and please keep us updated. Just a few weeks short of her 13th birthday, Muriel had been beaten on the crown of her head with an object, raped and then shot twice in the . 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. Follow. She was buried at St David's Church in Penllergaer. It blighted my life. For Hoyles, and no doubt numerous other people in Penllergaer,every dollar spent bringing Muriels killer one step closer to justice has been a dollar well spent. During the course of the investigation the finger of blame had sometimes been pointed at Muriel's father, John. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); (function($) {window.fnames = new Array(); window.ftypes = new Array();fnames[1]='FNAME';ftypes[1]='text';fnames[2]='LNAME';ftypes[2]='text';fnames[0]='EMAIL';ftypes[0]='email';fnames[3]='ADDRESS';ftypes[3]='address';fnames[4]='PHONE';ftypes[4]='phone';}(jQuery));var $mcj = jQuery.noConflict(true); Liked it? (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. In the days and weeks that followed Muriel's murder, police officers visited every farmhouse and cottage within 150 square miles, along with interviewing 20,000 men in Swansea, Aberdare and Carmarthenshire. Video, 00:01:18, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story, WATCH: Key moments from PM's NI Brexit deal speech. Video, 00:01:00View from the cockpit of a Ukraine combat helicopter. Learn more about managing a memorial . Harries was hanged in 1954 for the double murder of John and Phoebe Harries. Why? Forensic scientist Dr Colin Dark said that the stain had been found on the lower flap of Muriel's coat. On 27th June 1946 a school girl was walking through countryside on her way home. Jones was ruled out at the beginning of May, 2019. Her name was written in copper plate, Muriel J Drinkwater, and they were examined by the forensic expert who did some incredible work for us, and was able to find this full crime stain on the back of Muriel's little school mac. She was hoping in her lifetime to find out who killed her aunt. There was another murder in 1943. Drinkwater, a 12-year-old schoolgirl, was raped and shot in the woods in Penllergaer, Swansea. Some time after speaking to D.S Lloyd-Evans, D.N.A. Muriel's death was known at the time as the Little Red Riding Hood Murder because of the bright red coat she was wearing. 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. A brother, nephew, grandson. Just before his execution, Harries gave an extraordinary interview to the tabloid press from his jail cell. 2023 The True Crime Files. 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. Video, 00:01:00At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Dog found alive after 23 days under rubble. Thanks again and take care. Hi Sherlock. I think it will be at least 3 months before anything definite will be announced. She had been raped, bludgeoned about the head and shot twice in the chest. http://www.tcbmediarights.com/screeners/dark_son.html. Play it now! "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.". Video, 00:00:41Watch Kate beat William in spin class endurance race, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. 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. "Each case is reviewed periodically," he adds. He died at that address in 1971. "I found the original clothing," he said. Now, a team of former detectives and crime experts have re-investigated the case, dubbed the 'Little Red Riding Hood murder', and have uncovered a new prime suspect. She was was found murdered in 1980 in a field in Dixon, CA. Muriels nieces family took the books to the bookshop after Muriels brother-in-law died last year. On 30 March 2010 the Times Online quoted an unnamed police source with South Wales Police as saying: We have a real problem with amateur sleuths in this area. Please let us know how it goes. South Wales Police said: "All historic murder cases, often referred to in the media as 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. 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. 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. Ms Drinkwater was seen by her mother in the distance. The murder of Muriel Drinkwater is an unsolved 1946 child murder case from Wales. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Thanks for reading and for taking the time to share your thoughts. They visited the Carmarthen bookshop to identify if the killers family had taken the books there. Video, 00:02:56, Tears of relief after man found in Amazon jungle. A 73-year-old sample semen has conclusively disproved the theory Harold Jones was the killer of 12-year-old schoolgirl Muriel Drinkwater, Get the latest court and crime news from WalesOnline. Police believe 12-year-old Muriel Drinkwater might have been a victim of a notorious serial killer when she was raped and murdered in 1946. 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. He described the search for the clothes that had been taken from the crime scene. VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED. Muriel was seen at 2:30PM, singing as she exited the school bus. 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. Up Next. Take a second to support Christine on Patreon! Some companies will provide you with upto 6 generations. Thanks again ~ Christine, Your email address will not be published. In mid 2007, I had extensive contact with Detective Constable Paul Rogers of the London Metropolitan Police. Twelve-year-old Muriel Drinkwater was singing as she walked along the mile-long path to her home after getting off a school bus. "Looking through the paper work, we could see the materials had left the crime scene, where it had gone, where it had been examined. I have requested information regarding the cost of the re-investigation of Muriels murder since 2008. 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. This will conclude a 10 year wait to see if Jones was indeed Muriels killer. The case became known as the Little Red Riding Hood murder. A village-wide search was swiftly underway, and at 4:30PM the following day Muriels body was located in a Japanese larch plantation near her home. The detectives in the programme got a breakthrough when they were able to track down Muriel's relative Martin Phillips, who had been six at the time of the murder. OnJune 27, 1946, twelve-year-old Muriel Drinkwater made her way home from school inPenllergaer, Swansea. "We had access to the files and identified that a semen stain had been found on the coat. I think it was suggested that the police thought that the family knew more than they were letting on. Thanks again and take care. On this podcast episode, we cover the unsolved cold case of Muriel Drinkwater. Are you able to help please? Regards. A much loved, very kind and thoughtful person who did great things for people but never expected anything in return. Can you explain please. Interesting insights! Only by comparing D.N.A. I suggest reaching out to a DNA expert and seeing what insight they might be able to provide. Hi Neil. Click here to hear the Audio File of this case. She was singing . She was sexually assaulted and strangled and last seen with an American soldier. Neil Milkins. Thank you so much for this detailed update. The identity of the man who murdered a schoolgirl in 1946 remains a mystery after DNA left on her'little red riding hood' coat failed to link to a notorious child killer. Casey DeSantis says Ron looked like Tom Cruise in his white Navy uniform when then got married at Disney: Florida's First Family says venue was an 'ironic' choice, Ron DeSantis claims former Disney CEO Bob Chapek privately complained to him about the 'pressure' he was under from woke Left to wade in on Florida's 'Don't say gay' bill. The gym is tucked away in an unsuspecting industrial estate in the Swansea Valley and is run by a world-champion strongman who wants as many people as possible to feel included in his beloved sport. Thank you for listening to this episode of The True Crime Files. Video, 00:02:36, Up Next. 'Each case is reviewed periodically. People had forgotten it was there. This will enable the police to identify Muriels murderer by taking and testing swabs from the perpetrators sons, grandsons, or even great-grandsons. Or was she just in the wrong place at the wrong time? However, in 2008, a team of retired detectives investigating cold cases found Drinkwater's clothes in storage. We can also deduce it is a average male because he must have had enough power to dominate a 12 year old girl. He could not be placed at the scene, and the DNA ruled him out of the investigation. Interesting case Christine. "She lost sight of her for a few moments. She had been attacked on the lane and then she was dragged to where the body was left.". "South Wales Police has had considerable success with cold case reviews being one of the first forces in the country to set up a review team in 1999 to conduct cold case reviews. Video, 00:00:36Tears of relief after man found in Amazon jungle, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. Hoyles told police that the man looked terribly stern and had a local accent. Although this person of interest could have just been out for hike or involved in some other unrelated nefarious activity, the authorities believe that he may have been in involved in Muriels murder. To see documentary google Dark Lands Muriel Drinkwater iplayer. 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The comments below have not been moderated. true crime. 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. They pieced together evidence from the time, used new forensic breakthroughs and links to other cases in the area to identify who they think murdered Muriel in the most horrific way. DNA was taken from the relatives of both Muriel and Ronnie Harries but the results have not been made public. Pinterest. "The farm was a painful place for my grandparents to be," said Martin, who still keeps a little battleship toy that Muriel had given him. Jones was released from prison in December of 1941, so he was a free man when Muriel was killed. SOUTH Wales Police's Specialist Crime Review Unit has been investigating the murder of 12 year-old Muriel Drinkwater whose body was found in Penllergaer Woods, Swansea in 1946. A moment later, Muriels path wound into a thickly wooded area, and her mother returned to her chores in the kitchen. The D.N.A. I am leaning towards it being a targeted attack, in part because of the positioning of the perpetrator as you mentioned. Business class plane passenger refuses to give up his seat so a man could sit next to his wife on her birthday - selfish or fair enough? with South Wales Police has recently conceded that it CANNOT be categorically stated that Harold Jones has been ruled out completely as Muriels killer. Who killed 'Little Red Riding Hood'? There was a camp a mile away in Grovesend. There are far too many retired people out there who want to write books about unsolved murders, trawling through these records and coming up with half-baked theories.. 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. Posted by 8 minutes ago. This true crime happened in Penllegaer Woods on the outskirts of Swansea in 1946. She was seen by her mother from a distance of 400 yards away, but before Muriel could arrive home she was murdered. Have a great week! Adding: Please may I make a comment that the information that I request would be available via computer in an instant. 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The police have a Y-STR profile from Muriels coat. However, a lack of hard evidence would later see him freed. 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'. Nevertheless, local legend tells of how, after leaving prison, he'd return to his parents' house in Abertillery from time to time, where the sound of him playing the organ in their front room would haunt the terraced streets. GRAPHIC DESCRIPTIONS. I have informed South Wales Police regarding this information to save them a fortune on a wild goose chase trying to extract D.N.A. After discussing this development with Muriels niece, myself, Muriels niece and a number of of her nursing friends came to the same conclusion that if Jones daughter isnt his biological daughter then Jones could not completely rule out Jones as a suspect. I am making a F.O.I. More here: https://bit.ly/WoodlawnJaneDoe. Both girls were murdered in woods within a half mile of their homes. Her route to her familys home Tyle-Du Farmentailed a mile-long journey that wove in and out of the woods. Birth: 16 Jan 1878: And I also think there are likely more victims. D.S. On June 27, 1946, 12-year-old Muriel made her way home from school in Penllergaer, Swansea (UK). He can't understand why people would think he killed them. Her mother later went to the village to look for her when she did not return home; more than a dozen men from the area began a search. Muriel Drinkwater Muriel Drinkwater (born 1906) Jump to: Bio graphy Family Photos Comments Obit uary. There must be other victims of this person as I cant see him stopping. Just a few thoughts, so we can deduce its a man, not too young to be weaker than Muriel, not to old because they would be frail, so we are saying middle aged man in 1946. Video, 00:01:00One-minute World News, WATCH: Key moments from PM's NI Brexit deal speech. If you have any new information I would be extremely interested to hear it! [7], The next day, Drinkwater's body was found in the woods by a police inspector. "My grandparents changed completely. Thanks again for sharing this. First he lived in Fulham with a former London Metropolitan Police officer John Widdows and his daughter Muriel whom he married in 1948. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. Moments before being brutally attacked, 12-year-old Muriel Drinkwater had waved to her mother, who stood at the kitchen window, as she made her way home from Gowerton High School along the long path that led to the family home. They also announced in May 2019 that Abertillery double child killer Harold Jones had also been cleared of Muriels murder. On 27th June 1946 a school bus periodically, '' he adds her lifetime find... Know there were GIs muriel drinkwater update married Swansea girls still around in 1946 woods... 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