Aylsham, Molly Long, mother of Susan Long, whose murderer may be finally brought to justice thanks to new DNA evidence. Collect pic of Susan Long, taken around a year before she was murdered. 9of11 Picture; Submitted Copy; Richard Balls ©EDPpics2004 edp 10/3/04

It is now 43 years since the body of 18-year-old Susan Long was found by a milkman about a mile and a half from the market place in Aylsham.

The teenager, who lived with her parents in the North Norfolk town and worked as a clerk at Norwich Union in Norwich, had been sexually assaulted and strangled before her body was dumped and then discovered in Burgh Road in the early hours of March 11, 1970.

A full scale investigation was launched but her killer was never found and Norfolk police are still hoping they might be able to uncover that vital piece of information that would not only solve the case but bring closure to her long-suffering family, including elderly mother Molly.

Susan’s murder is one of a number of investigations being looked at by Norfolk Constabulary’s cold case team, which was set up in 2008 to investigate unresolved murders, missing people and serious sexual offences.

Tony Deacon, a cold case review officer, said this case, like other cold cases, was “never closed” and urged those who knew anything about the murder, no matter how insignificant it might seem, to get in touch.

He said: “It’s on the anniversary, it’s something we would want the public to say what they know about the case even if they didn’t at the time because they thought it was a waste of time or if their allegiances have changed.

“If you’ve still got something niggling in your mind please tell us. We will treat it in confidence, process it and act upon it if necessary.”

The DNA profile of the offender is on record, meaning police could link them to the murder should they come to light by committing other offences.

The cold case team will continue to look into any new lines of inquiry and want to hear from anyone with any information.

Call 01953 424520 or e-mail coldcaseteam@norfolk.pnn.police.uk

peter.walsh@archant.co.uk