A reward of £20,000 has been announced to help capture the individuals accountable for the killing of a law student three decades ago. Cold case investigators are seeking to trigger recollections of Euro ’96 as they delve into the case of Janet Murgatroyd, aged 20, whose body was discovered in a river after a night out. Andrew Greenwood, then 28, was found guilty of manslaughter in 2003 and imprisoned for eight years. Nevertheless, his conviction was overturned on appeal the following year.
Janet met her tragic end in the early hours of June 16. Thirty years later, Crimestoppers has made a plea for information leading to the apprehension and prosecution of those behind the crime. Janet was out with a friend on the evening of June 15, 1996, a day marked by significant events including the Manchester Arndale bombing and the England v Scotland Euro ’96 match.
In a statement released through Lancashire Constabulary, Janet’s mother, Mary, expressed her anguish, stating, “Janet Murgatroyd, my only child, was brutally murdered 30 years ago. The perpetrator is still at large; someone knows who this man is.”
Janet and her friend were at the Adelphi pub in Preston, Lancashire, before getting separated. Janet left with a known individual, walking down Fishergate with him before parting ways in the Church Street vicinity. Surveillance footage later captured Janet walking alone along Fishergate, heading towards her home in Penwortham.
According to Lancashire Police, Janet was a part-time police staff member, and they suspect the assault was sexually motivated. Two witnesses reported hearing a female in distress and saw a man crouched by the River Ribble bank.
Her lifeless body was later found in the water. The post-mortem examination revealed drowning and head injuries as the cause of death. Mary added, “Janet was returning home after a day of celebration with her friend, having purchased tickets for a vacation abroad. Struggling to get a taxi, she decided to walk home to Penwortham. I need closure; this continues to haunt me and my siblings. The perpetrator must be brought to justice.”
A spokesperson for Lancashire Constabulary made a direct appeal, highlighting the significant events of that summer day in 1996. Detective Chief Inspector Bryony Midgley, from the Major Crime Review Team, emphasized the need for justice for Janet, leveraging advancements in DNA technology and scientific methodologies for the investigation. The appeal for information continues, urging individuals who may have witnessed anything relevant to come forward.
If you were in the vicinity of Fishergate Hill and Penwortham Bridge on the night of June 15 and the early hours of June 16, and have not yet spoken to the authorities, please reach out as the investigation remains ongoing with a dedicated team of detectives.
