A fresh review into the disappearance of Donna Keogh is to be carried out as police apology to her family for their handling of the case.
Cleveland Police has said that “no stone will be left unturned” in the review which will see officers re-visit hundreds of witnesses and pieces of evidence.
Donna disappeared from her home in Saltersgill in 1998 aged 17 and her family has previously said they felt “let down” by the police due to their handling of the early stages of the case.
And now, as the 17-year anniversary of her disappearance approaches, Deputy Chief Constable Iain Spittal has apologised to her parents Brian and Shirley.
Mr Spittal said: “ It is no secret that Donna’s family had expressed displeasure and disappointment about the force’s initial handling of some aspects of the case. We have been working with them, trying to address their concerns as well as providing ongoing support from specially trained Family Liaison Officers.
“On Monday I offered Donna’s family an apology on behalf of Cleveland Police, which they have accepted. All parties agree it is time now to move on, to move forward and to concentrate on what matters most – finding out what happened to Donna and bringing to justice any person or people who harmed her.”
Donna was last seen with a group of people in the early hours of April 19, 1998, at a house party in Middlesbrough. She has not been seen since.
There is no evidence to suggest that the 17-year-old ran away.
Mr Spittal said that the fresh review will see “every aspect” of the investigation re-examined.
Deputy Chief Constable Iain Spittal
Read: Full statement from Deputy Chief Constable Iain Spittal on Donna Keogh disappearance
Brian told the Gazette: “We have waited a long time for that apology.
“Hearing that a new review is being done has given us hope. That’s what we have wanted - some hope.
“We were pleased to meet with Mr Spittal and it was the first time that we walked away feeling like something is being done.
“This is an important step in the right direction.”
Police and Donna’s parents, from Beechwood, Middlesbrough, have made a number of public appeals for information over the years.
Shirley said: “We feel a bit more postive now. Seventeen years have passed. It’s too long. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about Donna. It’s time we know now what has happened.”
As part of the fresh inquiry hundreds of pieces of information, intelligence and interviews will be re-visited and reviewed.
Mr Spital added: “I would like to take this opportunity to urge people who know or suspect they know what happened to Donna to come forward, anonymously if they prefer.
“Many years have passed, people grow up, allegiances change. It is never too late to do the right thing and come forward with any information at all which could help police.”
Mr Keogh also urged anyone with information about his daughter’s disappeance to contact police.
He said: “This is all about Donna. My little girl. Anyone who knows anything about what happened, even if you don’t think it’s that vital, anything can be helpful. It is my little girl and I will do whatever I can.”
Anyone with information can contact Cleveland Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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