Watch: Mum of murdered Rachel Wilson makes fresh appeal as police 'fill in some of the blanks' in investigation

View gallery

Peter Reimann

Rachel Wilson appeal

View gallery

The mother of murdered teenager Rachel Wilson has spoken of her heartache at not knowing why and how her daughter was killed.

Tina Wilson today made a fresh appeal for information - two years on from when Rachel’s body was found.

And she said the family had further anguish following the untimely death of Rachel’s heartbroken father Bernard last year. Mrs Wilson said: “All Bernard wanted was to know what had happened to his daughter and it is devastating that he went to grave not knowing.

“All I want now is for someone to come forward and tell us what happened to her. Somebody out there knows.

“The not knowing how and why this happened is heartbreaking.”

Detective Inspector Andy Greenwood who is leading the murder investigation said today that he is hopeful an arrest will be made “sooner rather than later”.

Rachel, from Grove Hill, who was a sex worker at the time, was last seen on May 31 2002 in the Woodlands Road area of Middlesbrough.

Then nearly two years ago - a decade on from her disappearance - the 19-year-old’s remains were found in a secluded location at Newham Hall Farm near Coulby Newham.

Det Insp Greenwood said that new witnesses have come forward who have helped move the murder investigation on.

He said: “I can’t go into too much detail about what the new leads are but people have filled in some of the blanks.

“The lifestyle we saw Rachel following was organised. Yes she did work as a sex worker to supply her drug addiction but her circle of friends was small at the time. These are the people who we are keen to speak to.

“We are getting closer to finding out what happened to Rachel and hopefully there will be arrests. We are working towards that and hopefully it will be sooner rather than later.”

A team of 20 officers have been working exclusively on the case for the last two years.

Det Insp Greenwood added: “We have been supported throughout and even though the force has had financial difficulties, we have never had pressure on us to reduce the team.”

Anyone with information should contact Cleveland Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0845 555111.