A FRESH appeal for information has been launched by police 20 years on from the brutal murder of a 47-year-old mother in Arborfield.
The killer responsible for the death Vera Holland, a mum of two from Shinfield, has never been caught and now, two decades after her body was discovered in the burning embers of a fire on an illegal tip near the River Loddon, police have urged people with information to come forward.
The 47-year-old was found strangled and left "robbed of any dignity", partially clothed near the Two Bridges Thames Water Pumping station on November 16, 1996 after fire crews were called to extinguish a blaze at 5.30am.
Police have launched a full review of the Vera Holland case
Peter Beirne, the head of the police's major crime review team, said they believed the fire was started in an attempt to get rid of the body.
He said: "The public did assist and came forward with information in 1996, however I do feel that there are people who have some information, who for whatever reason, have not spoken to the police.
"It might be that allegiances have changed in the last twenty years or you know something now that you didn't at the time.
"Vera's family have waited a long time for justice. With your help, we can find out what happened and bring those responsible to justice."
Vera was last seen on November 14 after she left her home is St Barnabus Road to fetch a takeaway from KFC just five minute's walk away in Shinfield Road, but never made it to the shop.
How Vera was dressed on the evening she was killed
She was reported missing by her husband when she didn't return home and was described as wearing a pink coat, a green tartan shirt, a black jumper and black shoes, but none of the clothes have ever been recovered.
Vera's son Andrew Bennett and daughter, Dawn Reid, have described the way their mother's body was dumped as "callous" and urged people with information to come forward to help find her killer.
In a statement, they said: "Twenty years ago today, someone murdered our mum.
"In doing so they robbed us of the love and care that she brought to our family. Our children, her grandchildren, never got to know her properly, and mum never had the opportunity to see her grandchildren grow.
"What made mum's death even more difficult for us, was the callous way her body was dumped amongst rubbish and then set fire to. It robbed her of any dignity.
"What adds to our anguish is not knowing who was responsible for this horrific crime, and that they have been able to carry on with their life for the last twenty years.
"We have had twenty years of not knowing who did this. There must be some people that have information that could help the police.
"We appeal to you to think of how you would feel if it was your mum that had been killed in such a way, and ask that you contact the police with any information, no matter how small, as it may help."
The area is close to the River Loddon and at the time was popular with fishermen and walkers.
Anyone with information should contact police on 101 and quote reference 497 (9/11/16), or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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